Starting this fall, French public transportation company SNCF plans on using RFID-enabled smart cards with USB connectivity. The public transit cards, which will be used to make fare payments, can be plugged into a PC or laptop allowing users to connect to the SNCF website and add funds to their cards online.

The contactless fare payment system is called Weneo ID Smart. It will first be piloted by about 1000 SNCF passengers. SNCF is hoping to eventually push all of its customers towards contactless smart card fare payments. If the pilot program tests well, Weneo ID Smart will likely be expanded nationwide in 2010.
Currently, contactless payment cards are being used in 10 regions throughout France. The cost of each ride is deducted from the cards by SNCF workers carrying handheld scanners, or by RFID readers positioned in train stations. The Weneo ID Smart program will work similarly, only cardholders will be able to add funds to their cards from home. The cards can transfer data to and from a computer either directly through a USB connection, or by using a Flash drive.