Tube/Subway/Metro Card

[mcmbenjamin]

Many transit systems now have a 'smart card' based system where you have a card that you wave over a device to pay your fare. Most transit systems also offer another method of paying (i.e. paper card or token) but these seam to be fading.

With the increased use of 'smart card' based transit systems worldwide, has anyone heard of plan to have a single card for a group or all transit systems?

Point being that many transit systems charge for the 'smart card' but in turn give a cheaper fare when you travel. (i.e. CTA in Chicago, $1.75 w/ card, $2.00 w/o starting in the next month or so)

Further, I see that this would not benefit everyone but would benefit a sizable group. NY/LONs, WAS/NYs, BOS/NYs, LON/DUBs and WAS/BOSs; notably.

I do see the problems as not all countries use the same currency. In addition, who is the custodian of the funds? The MRT in Singapore uses CitiBank to hold the stored value.

With the growth of credit cards with similar 'wavable' technology, do you think that stored value card will be history?

Sort of random but something I have always thought about. Maybe someone has more insight than I

Thanks

It's a good idea, based on reciprocality cities could club together to offer shared benefits. However I'd guess it'd be very difficult in practice not least because:

- I bet the technology systems have little or no commonality, for example at least airlines used common codes fo different fares yet I'd wager London and Chicago have completely different ways of recognising children, the elderly or other discount journeys for example
- many transport systems are recipients of state subsidies and the inevitable 'why should our taxes subsidise 'foreigners' travel' comments would occur
- I should think that negotiating who gets what from a fare, a season card etc. would be long and detailed
- the bank part is probably the least complex ...

That said, I'm no expert and agree it would be a good idea - if I could step off a plane in New York or Chicago and pass throught to the transport system with minimal fuss that would be cool.

Using an Oyster this week in London--great value!

RR

[mcmbenjamin]

Sorry to sound random in the first post but I think it would be cool. I use similar technology to pay for my gas (SpeedPass) and would like to have less cards in my wallet.

Yes - recently returned from a trip that took me via NY , Dallas and Washington and ended up with 3 types of 'Metro' card - not one of which could help me on return to London.

Going to these new places and figuring out how to pay, what deals to get is half the fun!

Plus tourists get a discount in some places!

Originally posted by roadrunner
Using an Oyster this week in London--great value!

Is Oyster available also for people living outside the UK? There is so much information in TFL webpages that I got confused ...