This morning at Grand Central the MTA will unveil a highly anticipated smart card pilot program.
Passengers on the Lexington Avenue subway line (4,5,6) can skim a credit card, phone or modified key chain across a turnstile reader and enter the subway system faster than by swiping a MetroCard. The money is withdrawn from riders’ bank accounts.
The smart card is similar to the “tap and go” pilot the MTA launched four years ago, in July 2006. Except this time riders can use the same card to board some NJ Transit buses and PATH trains, said MTA board member Andrew Albert.
The card will work for six months on the PATH, three NJ Transit buses in Hudson County, the Lexington Avenue subway and some Manhattan buses, such as the M86. The MTA hopes to expand smart cards to improve access across the region’s three main transportation systems.
PATH riders have used smart cards for two years.
“Let’s get the system in already; we’re way behind other cities,” Albert said.
For more information, check www.ridenynj.com.
