The Maryland Transit Authority will implement a smartcard payment system this fall.
In hopes of debugging a planned shift to plastic ID cards, the Maryland Transit Authority recently announced that it will seek volunteers to test its new system, according to the Baltimore Sun.
The system will link cards to prepaid accounts that passengers can access at anytime. The system called CharmCard is modeled after similar programs implemented in Miami and Boston and should be in use for all passengers in the fall. The MTA plans to start software and card reader installation during the summer. It will not open the program in the summer to allow for adequate troubleshooting before the system is fully operational.
Some in the state are unhappy that the CharmCard will not be used for the state’s light rail system, but the MTA believes it is not a good option as it will be difficult to verify payment since tickets are checked once aboard.
Earlier this month, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority announced that a similar plan to implement smartcard technology would be delayed again due to funding constraints.
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