SEPTA plans to implement contactless plastic cards for payments
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority's new smartcard system will allow users to tap any contactless bank card that they have on an electronic reader to pay for fares. The electronic devices will be on buses, subways, trolleys and trains throughout the region, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
The system will take three years to install so travelers aren't encouraged to immediately go out and purchase contactless plastic cards. SEPTA also plans to accept payments from smartphones in the future. Although this new development will make the payment process easier for bus, subway and trolley riders, the big change will be shown in how train riders respond, as the rail system accounts for 25 percent of SEPTA's revenue and 13 percent of its riders, the news source reported.
Users will be required to "tap in" and "tap out" upon entry and exit of their transportation service, as this will determine how much to charge each commuter.
According to SEPTA, there were more than 21 million individual trips made in August 2011. This number may increase when more individuals can use their personal plastic cards instead of those purchased specifically for commuting.
Tags: Transportation ID News
