Themman92 Posted January 5, 2017 Share #1 Posted January 5, 2017 Hello, I know in April the MTA issued an RFP for a new fare payment system to replace the MetroCard. Has there been any updates since then? Has a bid been awarded? I am not finding much in the news here. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRunRob Posted January 5, 2017 Share #2 Posted January 5, 2017 Hello, I know in April the MTA issued an RFP for a new fare payment system to replace the MetroCard. Has there been any updates since then? Has a bid been awarded? I am not finding much in the news here. Thanks! Last I heard the MTA was looking into the licensing the TFL's öyster payment system technology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Around the Horn Posted January 5, 2017 Share #3 Posted January 5, 2017 Last I heard the MTA was looking into the licensing the TFL's öyster payment system technology. Minor update here: TFL got the rights from Cubic so now they can sell the technology to any system that wants it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRunRob Posted January 5, 2017 Share #4 Posted January 5, 2017 It's a solid and proven platform. Don't see why the MTA wouldn't go through with it. Sent from my iPhone using NYC Transit Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted January 5, 2017 Share #5 Posted January 5, 2017 What we need is the entire payment system to be available ONLINE. I can pay for Metro-North tickets online on my phone (have done so here and there when in a rush, but I refuse to buy my Monthly pass via phone - too risky), but can't buy a Metrocard online in 2016. Ridiculous. The other thing that has been annoying is just about every time that I've needed to purchase a Metrocard, all of the machines in the station have been malfunctioning. The latest incident was at 86th and Lex. Took about 10 minutes to get one of the machines to refill my Metrocard. The card readers weren't working properly and then the machine didn't even issue a receipt. I just said the hell with it and kept it moving. On weekends in particular the machines are a mess regardless of what station you go to. They must only service them Monday through Thursday or something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRunRob Posted January 5, 2017 Share #6 Posted January 5, 2017 What we need is the entire payment system to be available ONLINE. I can pay for Metro-North tickets online on my phone (have done so here and there when in a rush, but I refuse to buy my Monthly pass via phone - too risky), but can't buy a Metrocard online in 2016. Ridiculous. The other thing that has been annoying is just about every time that I've needed to purchase a Metrocard, all of the machines in the station have been malfunctioning. The latest incident was at 86th and Lex. Took about 10 minutes to get one of the machines to refill my Metrocard. The card readers weren't working properly and then the machine didn't even issue a receipt. I just said the hell with it and kept it moving. On weekends in particular the machines are a mess regardless of what station you go to. They must only service them Monday through Thursday or something. I agree with you on that. I can't wait for that day Sent from my iPhone using NYC Transit Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Around the Horn Posted January 5, 2017 Share #7 Posted January 5, 2017 Well obviously a mag stripe card would be incompatible with online purchases... Any value or time added to the card has to be physically added to the mag stripe, which can only be done by the turnstiles, vending machines or the station agent. Online purchases are compatible with smart card chips because the overall system can store online purchases for up to a week, I think and then can be authenticated on to the card's chip the next time you tap in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRunRob Posted January 5, 2017 Share #8 Posted January 5, 2017 Well obviously a mag stripe card would be incompatible with online purchases... Any value or time added to the card has to be physically added to the mag stripe, which can only be done by the turnstiles, vending machines or the station agent. Online purchases are compatible with smart card chips because the overall system can store online purchases for up to a week, I think and then can be authenticated on to the card's chip the next time you tap in. Yep. Your smart card or Device would be associated with an ID number on the server side so purchases online would add a balance to that ID number. Should all be validated by the time you enter next time around. Sure going to be nice to be able to do this all with one tap! Sent from my iPhone using NYC Transit Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N6 Limited Posted January 5, 2017 Share #9 Posted January 5, 2017 Last I heard the MTA was looking into the licensing the TFL's öyster payment system technology. Minor update here: TFL got the rights from Cubic so now they can sell the technology to any system that wants it. It's a solid and proven platform. Don't see why the MTA wouldn't go through with it. Sent from my iPhone using NYC Transit Forums mobile app You have to tap out with the Oyster card unless you're riding a bus, do you see the MTA going forward with a tap in/out system? Well obviously a mag stripe card would be incompatible with online purchases... Any value or time added to the card has to be physically added to the mag stripe, which can only be done by the turnstiles, vending machines or the station agent. Online purchases are compatible with smart card chips because the overall system can store online purchases for up to a week, I think and then can be authenticated on to the card's chip the next time you tap in. http://web.mta.info/metrocard/EasyPayXpress.htm They can add to balances with the serial number and the mag stripe can be updated while swiping somewhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRunRob Posted January 5, 2017 Share #10 Posted January 5, 2017 Nope you just have to reconfigure the technology. You have to tap out in a system like London how else would the system know how much to deduct. It fits their fare structure. The technology is the tool it has to fit around the system it's serving not the other way around. I think it's just easier for them to to start with something already created and the fact it's opened for licensing. The CTA's ventura card would also be a system to look to. I'm sure the foundation is very flexible. Sent from my iPhone using NYC Transit Forums mobile app Even with a transit check and Xpress pass I still wonder what the process is to replace a lost or damaged card. Even though that is a good option given the current generation of technology. Sent from my iPhone using NYC Transit Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl94 Posted January 5, 2017 Share #11 Posted January 5, 2017 The biggest issue is the reload lag. I have a professor who was formerly the director of the transit authority in Albany and they're currently implementing a contactless system that is tap-in only, similar to what New York will likely adopt in the future, and I know some of the technical details about these systems. When somebody reloads a card online, the pass/value has to be physically added to the card at a turnstile or bus farebox. Depending on the system, bus fareboxes update once every 1-3 nights when the bus returns to the garage. As for turnstiles, the Washington Metro advises people to wait 1 business day before attempting to use value they added online. The lag between reloading online and the money actually getting to the card is an issue that needs to be considered. With MetroCards, each card is written when value is added. Can't do that if you're adding money online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobtehpanda Posted January 6, 2017 Share #12 Posted January 6, 2017 Yeah, the Oyster system offers multiple ways to pay. You may not be able to reload the MTA's contactless card, but you can reload a bank card with no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestrictOnTheHanger Posted January 6, 2017 Share #13 Posted January 6, 2017 Nope you just have to reconfigure the technology. You have to tap out in a system like London how else would the system know how much to deduct. It fits their fare structure. The technology is the tool it has to fit around the system it's serving not the other way around. I think it's just easier for them to to start with something already created and the fact it's opened for licensing. The CTA's ventura card would also be a system to look to. I'm sure the foundation is very flexible. Sent from my iPhone using NYC Transit Forums mobile app Even with a transit check and Xpress pass I still wonder what the process is to replace a lost or damaged card. Even though that is a good option given the current generation of technology. Sent from my iPhone using NYC Transit Forums mobile app If you lose an Xpress card you just report it online and a new one comes 2 to 3 weeks (!) later. Your balance is protected and/or if you have a monthly one they give you a prorated credit. Ive had that happen to me twice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mtatransit Posted January 6, 2017 Share #14 Posted January 6, 2017 Smart cards should also be implemented on LIRR and MNR. You "tap on" at Orginating station and you "tap off" at destination. This can reduces the amount of conductors needed, and fare evasion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubwayGuy Posted January 6, 2017 Share #15 Posted January 6, 2017 Still need conductors. They perform other functions, set up guard and operate doors to assist with boarding/deboarding and you need a crew member to report things to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl94 Posted January 6, 2017 Share #16 Posted January 6, 2017 Still need conductors. They perform other functions, set up guard and operate doors to assist with boarding/deboarding and you need a crew member to report things to. And most frequent users just have monthlies. Really easy to check those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Around the Horn Posted January 6, 2017 Share #17 Posted January 6, 2017 You have to tap out with the Oyster card unless you're riding a bus, do you see the MTA going forward with a tap in/out system? That's just for their distance based fares. PATH uses a variant of the Oyster turnstiles so obviously that can change. Smart cards should also be implemented on LIRR and MNR. You "tap on" at Orginating station and you "tap off" at destination. This can reduces the amount of conductors needed, and fare evasion. Without question. I'd get NJ Transit on board too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N6 Limited Posted January 6, 2017 Share #18 Posted January 6, 2017 That's just for their distance based fares. PATH uses a variant of the Oyster turnstiles so obviously that can change. Without question. I'd get NJ Transit on board too... If NYCT, PATH, NJT, Beeline, NICE, Metro North and LIRR could make an agreement that would be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biGC323232 Posted January 6, 2017 Share #19 Posted January 6, 2017 If NYCT, PATH, NJT, Beeline, NICE, Metro North and LIRR could make an agreement that would be great. It would be awesome...I still think Path and the Mta should join together considering they nearly the same price and path turnstiles uses metrocard... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTA1992 Posted January 6, 2017 Share #20 Posted January 6, 2017 A single card for the entire NY Metropolitan Area would be amazing. Hell, if other cities in the BOS-NY-DC Megacity took the card, whoo. ...Too ambitious? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N6 Limited Posted January 6, 2017 Share #21 Posted January 6, 2017 A single card for the entire NY Metropolitan Area would be amazing. Hell, if other cities in the BOS-NY-DC Megacity took the card, whoo. ...Too ambitious? Not necessarily, look how E-Z Pass has spread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl94 Posted January 6, 2017 Share #22 Posted January 6, 2017 A single card for the entire NY Metropolitan Area would be amazing. Hell, if other cities in the BOS-NY-DC Megacity took the card, whoo. ...Too ambitious? SmarTrip works for the entire DC/Baltimore area, so that's a start. As far as a widespread card, look at Ontario. They just finished rolling out Presto, which works in much of the province. Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa and the surrounding areas all use the same card. They're looking into expanding it down to St. Catharines and Niagara Falls and it also works for commuter rail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted January 6, 2017 Share #23 Posted January 6, 2017 All I have to say is until the Metrocard is obsolete, the should provide MVM in more areas. Here's a perfect example. This morning I needed a Monthly Metro-North pass, as well as a Metrocard. No Metro-North station offers Metrocards. They used to offer them in Grand Central, but they took those machines away, so you have to now walk to a subway, then go to a Metro-North station and get a pass. Beyond ridiculous and extremely inconvenient, especially considering that I gave them $281.00 of my money ($201.00 for the monthly from Riverdale to GCT, and then I put $80.00 on a Metrocard). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LTA1992 Posted January 6, 2017 Share #24 Posted January 6, 2017 All I have to say is until the Metrocard is obsolete, the should provide MVM in more areas. Here's a perfect example. This morning I needed a Monthly Metro-North pass, as well as a Metrocard. No Metro-North station offers Metrocards. They used to offer them in Grand Central, but they took those machines away, so you have to now walk to a subway, then go to a Metro-North station and get a pass. Beyond ridiculous and extremely inconvenient, especially considering that I gave them $281.00 of my money ($201.00 for the monthly from Riverdale to GCT, and then I put $80.00 on a Metrocard). It's gonna be obsolete in like, 5 years or so. So why bother? Don't complain about inconvenience and in the same sentence, say you give them over 200 for a monthly when you can take the bus to the subway like errrrbody else and save the bread for other things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl94 Posted January 6, 2017 Share #25 Posted January 6, 2017 It's gonna be obsolete in like, 5 years or so. So why bother? Don't complain about inconvenience and in the same sentence, say you give them over 200 for a monthly when you can take the bus to the subway like errrrbody else and save the bread for other things. You took the words out of my mouth. Seriously, save 200 and take the bus. If I were the MTA, I'd take a page from CDTA and a few other agencies and include mobile fare payment technology. Most phones are NFC-enabled nowadays, which just happens to be the same technology most of the modern farecards use. Let people tap their phones on the farebox/turnstile. Reduces the number of cards you need to make and machines you need to install. Not like most users don't have a smartphone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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