Info sessions on new CDTA smart cards and mobile payments

CDTA new farebox illustrationPay by mobile phone to ride the bus?

CDTA isn't there, yet -- but it hopes to be by next year. This week the transit org is starting a series of public outreach sessions to discuss its plans for new smart card and mobile ticket options. The fare payment options are made possible by the new fare boxes that have been popping up on buses.

The transit org says the proposed new system won't affect base fares -- they're focused on prepayment options.

The first meeting is this Wednesday in Clifton Park. There will be five other meetings during August at various spots around the Capital Region. Schedule is at that first link.

CDTA was a sponsor of the Rail, River, Hudson trip.

Comments

Be careful with those newer fare boxes since they seem to miscount bills.

Twice (on two completely different buses), I put in $4 for an all-day card and the box said I'd only put in $3. Fortunately, in both cases, the driver saw me put the four singles in and was able to hit a button that allowed me to get my card.

Otherwise, they work better than the old ones...no annoying whizzing as the machine rejects a perfectly smooth bill repeatedly.

I agree that the new fare system is a step up, but have likewise experienced issues of miscounted dollar bills, so just be vigilant if you need to buy a day pass or something requiring more than a few bucks.

New boxes seem to be fancy... means expensive.
I wonder if it would be cheaper to just let everyone ride free

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