Metro Weighs Credit/Debit Card "Ticket" to Ride
No more tourists blocking rush hour?
By ASHA BEH
Updated 7:14 PM EST, Mon, May 11, 2009
Step aside, SmarTrip.
Metro is looking into a system that would let riders use debit or credit cards to pay for rail, bus and parking, The Washington Post reports.
It could mean no more tourists blocking your rush hour commute. You know, the out-of-towners that stand there dumbfounded at the Metrorail or SmarTrip machines, wondering how much money to put on their fare cards and blocking your only chance at a train that's about to leave in two minutes. (Aaaaauuuuuugggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!)
The transit agency isn't going to get rid of SmarTrip cards -- at least, not yet. Instead, the new payment system would be an alternative to SmarTrip, fare cards and cash. It would also work like SmarTrip; just swipe and go.
But, unlike SmarTrip, the new payment system would have a "global" chip that matches one set of international standards. In other words, you could use it in New York, L.A., or anyplace that has the same technology. (FYI, New York is only testing such cards, and L.A. is in the same boat as DC -- considering them, but nothing's definite.)
Metro is seeking board approval this month to solicit proposals for a provider to issue and manage such bank cards, per the Post. A board committee is supposed to hear a presentation Thursday.
First Published: May 10, 2009 7:29 AM EST
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