Smart Card
Metro plans to embark on an open fare payment system that could introduce the use of contactless credit cards, debit cards and prepaid cards to ride the system.
The next generation of fare media is expected to be a contactless smart card that would contain a computer chip and operate as a standard credit or debit card. This would enabling Metro riders to pay their fares and also use the card for other purchases – all without having the card tied to a bank account. The new fare payment system would retain a cash option for customers.
The current fare equipment was installed in 1995 and is reaching the end of its useful life. Metro would own all of the fare equipment installed by the selected vendor and would maintain control over fares.