New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority has long considered a switch from paper transit passes to contactless smart cards, and now it appears the change could take place within the next two years. In the current system, riders of NYC subways and buses use temporary MetroCards which feature a low-coercivity magnetic stripe. The cards are good for a specific number of rides, and once those rides are all used up, the cards are worthless. With a smart card system, riders would be able to use the same card over and over, and could add funds directly from their bank accounts online or at special kiosks.

The plan would require new sensors to be installed on turnstiles and near bus entrances. When a rider enters the subway station or boards a bus, the sensor detects the card and automatically deducts the price of the fare. Aside from offering a great deal of convenience to frequent riders, the contactless smart card system would also help to eliminate waste, and it could speed up wait lines currently slowed by people having to swipe their passes.
Learn more about transit pass programs…