MTA delays smart cards but takes plastic
The Maryland Transit Administration has delayed its plans to introduce "smart card" technology for payment of fares for about six months -- pushing its goal to next fall.
The agency had previously estimated that it would introduce the smart cards -- which allow riders to store value on the cards and speed up payments -- this winter. But MTA spokeswoman Jawauna Greene said the agency had decided it needed to conduct additional beta testing on the bus and light rail systems after finishing such tests on the Metro subway.
"We're going to give you the best product we can when it's ready," she said.
Giving its passengers a kind of consolation prize, the MTA also announced Tuesday it has equipped its subway stations with payment machines that now take credit cards as well as cash. The MTA said the machines will accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
The agency also said it expects to have all its light rail stations ready to take credit cards within the next 90 days.
Comments
To me, taking plastic is huge.
When I occasionally walk out of the house without my subway pass, I always have my MasterCard. I do NOT always have any uncreased ones or fivers.
Posted by: bluzdude | December 8, 2009 4:16 PM
Good to see that the MTA is on the cutting edge. Who knows, this credit card thing might catch on.
Posted by: Gregory | December 8, 2009 4:44 PM
Careful, MTA moves too fast we might have to burn them for witchcraft.
Posted by: Chris | December 8, 2009 7:51 PM
Well, well, well. It's about time they realized that most of us don't keep cash on us all the time. And as for the delay, as long as I can still use my SmarTrip card when it's all said and done, it's all good. By the way, are they still going with that ridiculous CharmCard name for their card?
Posted by: Justin..... | December 8, 2009 9:15 PM
I've been to Los Angeles a couple times and noticed their ticket vending machines looked just like Baltimore's and took credit cards. I figured it was just another case of MTA failure here, which it was, but it's good to know they're addressing it. I'm really looking forward to not having to dig for cash anymore.
Posted by: Tyler | December 9, 2009 9:29 AM
I see how this will work with subway and buses, I assume just like WMATA's SmarTrip Card. However, how will this work with light rail?
Will I use my card to buy a pass that I then have to show, or simply swipe my pass at the machine and then a fare inspector will read my card?
And, unlike WMATA, please tell me that this card will be able to read monthly passes!!!
Posted by: Richard | December 9, 2009 10:27 AM
I think the Light Rail question is at the heart of why the smart card is getting delayed.
For it to be effective, MTA will either have to add fare readers to the trains themselves (tapping your card when you board the train like the Green Line in Boston) or add car readers on the train platforms next to the TVMs (like the Go To card in Minneapolis).
Fare inspectors would then have hand held readers to verify if the fare was paid to keep people from fare-dodging.
Here is how Minneapolis works - http://www.metrotransit.org/buyPass/goTouser.asp#usetrain
Posted by: Chris | December 10, 2009 9:06 AM
LA's Metro system is like the light rail. They also have smart cards. The way it works is you tap the card on a box that stands where the turnstiles would otherwise be. If a fare inspector/LA County sheriff checks you, they scan your card. I imagine MTA would do it the same way.
Posted by: Tyler | December 10, 2009 10:46 AM
Good step for making your fares payment through smart card. This step was taken by MTA. Well done. I will appreciate this.
Posted by: plastic card | December 21, 2009 2:13 AM
Good info.. I think this is very good way for using smart cared for making quickest payments.
Posted by: Plastic Card | April 8, 2010 6:27 AM