Students at D.C. magnet high school, School Without Walls, are being issued cashless payment cards in effort to curb violence and crime on public transit.

This provides authorities the ability to renege cards in the case of misbehavior. It might also help encourage kids to attend class, as drop outs will have their cards shut off. City officials have emphasized other benefits, including convenience and security of cashless payment.
Transit passes are becoming increasingly popular in metro areas around the world.