New York’s MTA is now piloting a new payment system that will enable passengers to use MasterCard PayPass contactless credit and debit cards to pay on certain bus and subway lines, according to WNYC.
To pay, riders must simply tap their cards against specially designed fare boxes on bus or subway turnstiles.
Riders can either pay for each individual trip, or purchase in advance at lease $10 worth of credit.
This is the second time the MTA has tested smart cards, says WNYC. The first one lasted from 2006 to 2009 and worked only on the Lexington Avenue subway line.
Now, in addition to the subway, passengers riding the M14, M23, M79, M86, M101, M102, M103 and BxM7 bus routes in Manhattan and the Bronx can test the new system, in addition to the PATH and three NJ Transit bus routes.
Initially, only MasterCard’s PayPass cards will be accepted at turnstiles since the company helped design the system, but after two months Visa will be able to take part in the trial.
The MTA expects the new system will reduce time spent at the turnstiles, as well as dramatically improve the efficiency of bus routes.
According to WNYC, the MTA is also looking at replacing the MetroCard with another mag stripe card called EasyPay, which can be reloaded remotely via credit card. The MTA reports that about 125,000 people are now using EasyPay. ![[end]](/resources/bullet/contactlessnews-4.gif)
