T gives Allston man refund for expensive ride

By Megan Tench
GLOBE STAFF

After boarding a Green Line train one hot night in August, Stephen Lyons stuck his money into the farebox — only to realize with horror that he had put in a $100 bill.

‘‘I felt like an idiot,’’ he recalled Friday. ‘‘I was wearing shorts, and I knew I had a dollar in my left pocket and a hundred in my right. I must’ve reached into the wrong pocket. Oh, man ..... just stupid.’’

Lyons, 38, of Allston, thought it was a lost cause, but he called and wrote to MBTA officials anyway. Months went by with no word. ‘‘I just gave up on it,’’ he said.

But something unexpected happened Friday.

Lyons, who installs floor coverings, received a check in the mail for $99.

In a letter accompanying the payment, MBTA General Manager Daniel A. Grabauskas told Lyons that his $100 bill was located by the revenue collection staff that counted the currency from the Boston College branch. ‘‘Enclosed, please find a check for $99 to reimburse you for the overpayment,’’ the letter said. ‘‘I thank you for your patience and for using the MBTA.’’

Wasting no time, Lyons immediately cashed the check.

‘‘I couldn’t believe it,’’ he said.

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