N.Y. MTA to consider switching to smart cards

New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is considering replacing its current farecard system with contactless smart card technology. The Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee (PCAC) released a report Monday recommending to the MTA to start the program. Users of the new technology will wave a microchip-embedded card at subway turnstiles and bus fareboxes instead of swiping. The new system, which takes one-sixth of the time at turnstiles than MetroCards, will streamline fare payment and decrease bus dwell times for transit operators. PCAC Chair James F. Blair stated that it was time for the MTA to take advantage of this technology and make travel more convenient and efficient. Last month, the MTA put aside $43.9 million in capital funds to implement the system, reported New York Newsday. Advocates for the new system fear that the MTA will not use the money as officials have known about the techology for at least seven years.