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MTA, PATH, NJ TRANSIT Get MasterCard PayPass Tap & Go
By
John Del Signore
Published Jun 1, 2010
Modified Jun 1, 2010
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By
John Del Signore
Published Jun 1, 2010
Modified Jun 1, 2010
Share
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Today marks the beginning of a six month MasterCard PayPass pilot program to test if people like using a single debit/credit card to move between NJ Transit, the PATH, and the MTA. You may recall that back in 2006 Mastercard tried a somewhat similar "contactless" payment card system at 30 subway stations along the 6 line, but that never really caught on. This new program is also contactless—commuters simply tap their MasterCard PayPass card at sensors in the transit systems, and get billed accordingly. What's different this time is that riders on the three systems can finally get around with easy one payment method, enabling those CIA spies to track your movements beyond the five boroughs into New Jersey.
The pilot is being funded by MasterCard at no cost to the MTA or the other public transit agencies. According to the MTA, riders "will be able to choose from a 'Pre-Fund' or 'Pay-As-You-Go' fare option, and on MTA and NJT services can take advantage of existing time-based fares, such as One Day, Weekly, Bi-Weekly or Monthly passes, as well as discounted fares for senior citizens, disabled and student riders. All fares purchased using a PayPass-enabled card or device will be automatically applied to customers’ MasterCard credit or debit accounts...Transit riders can go to www.ridenynj.com for more information on how to participate."
Multiple bus and train routes in NYC and New Jersey will be participating in the trial, including subway locations on the Lexington Avenue train line (4,5,6) from 138th Street in the Bronx through Borough Hall in Brooklyn, eight MTA bus routes (M14, M23, M79, M86, M101, M102, M103 and BXM7), 11 PATH stations (excluding only the Christopher and 9th Street stations), and three NJ TRANSIT bus routes (6, 80, 87). For more, check out this sweet industrial video showing the exciting new payment card system IN ACTION!
Tagged
bus
MasterCard PayPass
metrocard
MTA
nj transit
path
subway
tap & go
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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