New York City’s transit agency is changing how bus and subway passengers pay their fares.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is phasing out its MetroCard in favor of something more modern.
An MTA committee on Monday approved a $573 million contract for a new payment system. Instead of swiping their MetroCards, the new system will allow riders to use their cellphones or certain types of debit or credit cards to pay their fares directly at turnstiles.
The full MTA board will vote to approve the bid on Wednesday.
MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota says the changes will bring the way passengers pay into the 21st century.
Officials say the plan is to fully retire the MetroCard by 2023. Until then, riders will still be able to use it.
(AP)
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4 Responses
So far they haven’t given a “real” reason for changing the phasing out cards. The cost is totally uncalled with out at least sharing the reason for change.
How will this work for children/students or people paying cash?
Does This Mean All School Kids will Haveto Carry Cell PHones or Debit Cards or Credit Cards if they use the bus or train?
And will there be no more Discount fares??? 🙁
@gamanit @BenK – this is GREAT for students! Instead of having to carry around a bunch of coins (depending on the latest fare hike, anywhere between one and three separate coins for each ride – and most students carry enough to last them at least a week) AND a card, they’ll just carry one card. I’m sure they’ll work something out for discount fares. But we might not be able to pay with cash anymore.