MTA smart card coming Tuesday
After more than a decade of development, the Maryland Transit Administration plans to launch its often-delayed electronic fare payment system Tuesday -- giving rider the option of using a plastic card to use the Metro, light rail and local buses.
MTA spokesman Terrry Owens called the introduction of what will be known as the CharmCard a "huge step forward" for the agency. He said it will be "one of the largest integrated transit fare payment systems in the nation."
The system is similar to the electronic SmartTrip card that has been in use for many years on Washington's Metro subway and Metrobus systems, with which it willl be compatible. The CharmCards, which will cost $2.50 up front, can then be used to store monetary value and pay fares as needed. The cards are also expected to reflect the cost of reduced-cost passes for frequent users.
"We are going to have a safe, more secure system," Owens said. "Passengers won't have to worry about paper tickets any more."
The MTA plans to unveil the new card at a news conference Tuesday at the Charles Center Metro Station. Its debut hasn't come easily. Owens said the process of developing such a system started in 1999. Since then, it has met with many setbacks and delays as officials have struggled with the challenges of making it usable across the MTA's different modes of transportation.
Over the past year, the cards have been undergoing beta testing in the hands of volunteer passengers. MTA officials have said the response has been highly positive.
Owens said the cards will be available at the MTA Transit Store, 6 St. Paul St., and at selected CVS Pharmacy and Giant Food stores in the metropolitan area. The cards cannot be used on the MARC commuter train system or MTA commuter buses.
Information about the CharmCard is available by clicking here.
Comments
So can I use my DC SmarTrip card on MTA buses?
COMMENT: That is my understanding.
Posted by: Dan | September 17, 2010 3:05 PM
Yes, and you can use the Charm Card in DC; I've done that numerous times. I participated in the MTA's CHarm Card pilot program so I've been using my card since May and found it convenient to use the card on both networks.
In reality, when you get your card, you'll notice that it's a Smart Trip card with a Charm Card label over the Smart Trip logo. Makes a lot of sense to move towards eventually a single DC-Baltimore transit system...someday anyway.
Posted by: kungpow12 | September 17, 2010 3:43 PM
My one concern with this as a light rail rider is how will I know when my 30 day pass expires?
From what I have heard once I buy my pass at the farecard machine its then good for the next 30 days, so if I buy it on the 1st it expires on the 30th, or if I buy it on the 2nd, it expires the 31 or first.
However, when I ride the bus or metro, I have to tap it each time and it will beep or something (I assume) when I need to buy a new one.
As a light rail rider I only need to tap it on the fare-checker's machine and I assume she will remind me when its close to expiring. But what if I don't get checked for a week (which happens regularly) or two (which has happened to me twice in the past eight months). Or I go on vacation or whatever.
How do I know when mine expires before I am on the train getting checked? Will I get an email reminder? Or, will I simply then when checked be able to have the fare inspector take the monthly trip value off my card without paying a fine or getting kicked off (which is what I see happen now).
That's my concern and worries me about using my SmarTrip card for this purpose.
On another note, can we now get MTA to get on CommuterDirect so that I can get pre-tax on my transit a lot easier than how it is now?
Posted by: Richard | September 17, 2010 7:50 PM
Mike--Have to be anonymous, but the MARC fare system at Odenton station is being updated and it appears that they will be able to accept WMATA and MTA smart cards in the very near future. I doubt MTA public relations knows about this, I'll send you another message when I can confirm this.. Aside from smartcards, the ticketing upgrades at Odenton will be significant and will streamline the process for purchasing tickets at Odenton. For now, that will be the only station with this capability, but others should follow in the next year or so.
Posted by: Tip to Dressor | September 17, 2010 10:41 PM
Since I already have both a demo/test CharmCard (from their pilot test) AND a DC SmartCard, am I correct that I can just use the DC SmartCard and can save myself $2.50?
Also, will this thing absolutely, positively recognize a day pass situation? My biggest irritation of the pilot test was that I couldn't load up a day pass on the card, only Metro fares.
And I notice with some bemusement that the DC WMATA is still trying to sell "limited edition" Obama commemorative Smart Cards for $10 each (with no added value).......
Posted by: Alexander D. Mitchell IV | September 20, 2010 10:12 AM