The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) tapped MJM Innovations, a firm specializing in electronic transaction processing, technology solutions and services for transportation programs, to provide electronic transaction technology that will enable the new EZ-Pay feature for the MetroAccess paratransit program.

MetroAccess EZ-Pay became available May 1 and allows customers to prepay for trips by phone or online using a credit or debit card, eliminating the need to carry cash, tokens or other paper-based forms of payment.

To provide the new EZ-Pay capabilities, WMATA is employing the EZTransport solution from MJM Innovations. Developed in 2001 and currently in use by both small and large transportation programs throughout the U.S., EZTransport utilizes a Web-based software application and a state-of-the-art transaction processing platform to enable automated fare collection and capture of fare and trip data.

With the EZTransport technology, MetroAccess customers can access their EZ-Pay accounts either by phone or online at WMATA's Website. In addition to being able to add money to their EZ-Pay accounts, customers can keep track of their account balances and view trips they've scheduled and taken. MetroAccess customer service representatives can also provide EZ-Pay account information to customers.