I don't like the idea of deducting fares linked to my bank account. The MTA should just make a smartcard version of the Metrocard like the smartlink on the PATH. or they can just allow customers to to use the same smartlink card from Path on the subway & MTA buses too. That smartlink card for non-unlimited use should be converted to pay-per-ride value & have MTA & Port Authorty logo on the same card.

It will stop those swipe sellers.

MTA smartcard.

I'm not liking the idea of a card that can be stolen that is also directly linked to my bank account. So I wont be using that card. I suppose I could create a new bank account that is intentionally not linked to my other accounts but that's effort and maintenance, and for what benefit exactly?

Mike b's post made me smile

What about those of us who get TransitChek at work? Will they have to issue a smartcard instead of getting the TransitCheck Visa card? I just don't see it working. How about people who have employers who buy them 30 day unlimited metrocards with a corporate credit card? I doubt those employers will let the MTA just deduct the money from their bank accounts, so there goes that benefit for a lot of people. Way to go MTA.

I take buses. I find myself standing out in the rain with great frequency because old ladies and stupid people don't realize they need to take their cards out and dip them quickly so the line can move.

Eventually, if this is not fixed, I will murder someone on the line for the M16 and go to prison for it. This will cost much more than whatever the cost to upgrade the infrastructure, which we will eventually need to do anyway. Use your heads, people.

(That said--ATM/credit card deduction will not only not work for everyone, but it will have to be absolutely eliminated where it exists. I need to know when I wave my wallet in front of the sensor that it will react to exactly one thing inside. And if I don't get a monthly card at a pre-tax discount, I will, again, murder someone.)

i'd certainly like to steal one of these new cards off someone. linked to a bank account? DELICIOUS!

Once again the MTA takes what could have been a good idea and places a crackpot spin on it.

I can't WAIT to get rid of the easily lost scrappy bit of card that costs me $350 a month. I'm sure as hell not comfortable with the MTA having direct access to my bank account.

What's wrong with simply implementing an annually-purchased or automatically topped-up RFID pass, much like Londons Oyster card system? Even better, Oyster cards are protected by a username and password, meaning if they get lost they can be replaced. If you lose your MTA/LIRR card... you're screwed. They'll charge you full fare for a replacement.

They don't have direct access to your bank account, you have the flexibility to fund them from a credit card or pre-tax deductible commuter card (assuming they EVER make those things less clunky and more usable)

I'm glad the MTA is considering these changes - I just hope it also includes regional rail so we can move to automated barriers instead of paying people to walk up and down a train all day punching holes in cards.

I think no one is against technology, but first of all the timing is insane, and they want to improve on something that doesn't need improvement at the moment! Metrocards work just fine, and it's easier to keep track of costs if I pay for rides in advance.

how about investing in digital timetables that tell me when the train is coming? Can't be too difficult (every major city in the world has it). As far as I know only the L train has this at the moment. Very helpful feature. One night the LED sign showed that the next train is coming in 30 minutes. Too long, so I took a taxi. Of course I had to pay the fare in order to get on the platform and see that message, but still. Very helpful.

Another night I waited at least 30 minutes for an F from Brooklyn to Manhattan. Finally it came, but then went suddenly express (at 3am), so I had to get off and walk for 25 minutes. I could have avoided all this aggravation if there had been an updated LED schedule message like with the L.

I expect it will take at least 10 years to update other lines with this very simple thing... sigh....

"automatically deduct the fare from bank accounts"?

Note to MTA douchebags - not every New Yorker has a bank account!

And for many who do, we don't always have money just lying around in the bank unspent - I'm sure I'm not the only New Yorker who ends up with a bank balance of $ 11.44 after paying the bills!

That automatic deduction thing might work on the Upper East Side - but what about East Harlem?

Wow, and it only took them a decade.

1 - Will the fare be discounted the way EZ Pass is?

2 - Will we still get a free transfer or will we be charged twice?

With this system in place, a 'fare zone' pay scale can be implemented.

I hope we can opt out of the bank account option. A seperate account that can be pre-loaded is what I'd like. The MTA has never garnerd my trust. Feh!

The Oyster is fantastic and I think having a similar touch method would, overall, speed up the flow of passengers and reduce clogging and moreover annoyance. Although, with the service cuts and generally bad service on the subway lately, perhaps we don't need people getting into the station quicker and easier...

I have very very rarely experienced clogging. And if so, only caused by tourists....

Sander must own a stake in the company likely to win the contract to implement this technology, which will undoubtedly be 5 years and $400 million over budget.

Consensus seems to agree that the buses need this, so do it on the buses and cut your losses. Fuck you MTA

New smart cards.

Same old stupid fucking employees.

Not all employees are stupid or rude but alot of them are rude.

I'd rather see something like London's Oystercard: stiff plastic which one touches to a pad on the front of the turnstile. I've also been in the Chicago, Boston and DC subways where the reader is in front--rather than the side-- and have yet to be hassled by someone trying to sell me a swipe in those places.

The New MTA OneCard™

OneCard™ to rule them all

OneCard™ to find them

OneCard™ to bring them all

And in the darkness bind them

...

That's Just PERFECT.

;)