New SEPTA Fare System Would Include Payment Via Cell Phone

New SEPTA Fare System Would Include Payments Via Cell Phone

July 29, 2011 7:40 AM

(File photo)

Reporting Mike Dunn

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - SEPTA is inching closer to having what other transit systems have used for years — smart card technology to replace tickets and tokens. But that delay may have a side benefit: your phone could serve as the smartcard.

SEPTA has gone through at least a two-year delay in awarding a contract to convert all fares on buses, trains and subways to smartcards.

SEPTA’s chief of new payment technologies, John McGee, says the delay may have helped because the system now can include what’s called mobile payment technology, in which your cell phone serves as the smartcard.

“You’re tagging it. There’s an RFID (radio frequency ID) chip that’s contained in contactless credit and debit cards, but also in cell phones — new smart phones,” he said. “As phones change over, they will have this technology. I think its going to become very popular.”

Formal approval of the smart card system is expected by the SEPTA board this fall, with a price tag in the area of $100 million.

Reported by Mike Dunn, KYW Newsradio 1060

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New SEPTA Fare System Would Include Payments Via Cell Phone

Adam in Thorndale

Hey SEPTA, paying with my cellphone sure does seem interesting, but I’ve got an even BETTER and easier idea.

Put an electronic machine at every train station that accepts cash and/or credit cards. Then I push a button on the machine next to my destination stop. After that, the machine prints out a train ticket for me. Amazing! I didn’t even need to take my cellphone out of my pocket.

I know this might be hard to believe but these ticket-printing machines already exist! In fact, Amtrak and NJ Transit have some right inside 30th Street Station if you need to understand how they work. If you ask nicely, I bet they will even offer you some advice on how to set them up all over the city.
NLB

I could do without this high- tech nuance if it means a fare price increase… I really could not take it. Isn’t enough that one-way trip fare is two dollars , well above other major cities such as new york,LA, and chicago! A transfer is an additional dollar. Service is unreliable at times and drivers are less than friendly or helpful. Its too bad SEPTA has a monopoly because I would surely take advantage of an alternative!