SWIPE 'N RIDE A GROWING TREND : SMART CARDS MAKING TRAVEL MORE CONVENIENT

This article gives an overview of how smart cards are being used in various public transit systems across the U.S. The TransLink project in the San Francisco Bay Area is developing a system that would allow commuters to use one fare card on all 26 public transportation systems. Some transit agencies are looking into linking smart card applications to other services such as restaurant or hotel payments. A system using both mart cards and cash is being examined by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) that would cover bus, rail travel, and commuter parking lots. The fare collection system would also be integrated with those of the Baltimore Metro Transit Authority and 14 other agencies in the Virginia and Maryland area.