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| Sunday, May 17, 08:44:34am | [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, [3], 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ] |
| Subject: 'Smart-card' ticket system approved for transit riders Seattle | |
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Author: Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - Page updated at 12:00 a.m.Seattle Times |
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Date Posted: Thursday, April 17, 10:21:30pm In reply to: Newspapers reporting result--March 7 2003 SMH 's message, "Noteholders have tickets to ride" on Thursday, March 06, 08:38:56am http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/134671025_smartcard08m.html Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - Page updated at 12:00 a.m. 'Smart-card' ticket system approved for transit riders By Mike Lindblom Seattle Times staff reporter E-mail this article Print this article Search web archive In three years, transit riders in the Puget Sound region will be able to pay their fare by waving an electronically charged "smart card" on their way onto a bus, train or, maybe, ferry or monorail car. The Metropolitan King County Council unanimously approved an ordinance yesterday to establish the program, which would include local and express buses, Sounder commuter trains, Link light rail, and possibly the state ferries and Seattle monorail. Cards could be purchased online, through employers, at retail stores or from any of 33 machines at transit stations. Riders could recharge them by adding cash or electronic payments, as coffee drinkers do with Starbucks debit cards. When boarding, people would hold cards near a wireless reader on the bus, or on the boarding platform at Sounder stations. Smart cards also could be used to transfer easily between different kinds of transit vehicles. Providing a "one-ticket ride" has been a goal of transportation planners since at least 1996, when voters approved that goal as part of the regional Sound Move plan. "This should help increase transit ridership. It will certainly increase rider convenience," said Councilman Rob McKenna, R-Bellevue. "This is an exciting development," said Councilman Dwight Pelz, D-Seattle. The technology will allow transit officials to track ride patterns, which should help the agencies provide better service, he said. The system, requiring sophisticated software and thousands of electronic devices, is expected to cost $31 million to establish. The 10-year operating cost is around $33 million, but that would be about the same as the current fare system. The prime contractor, Australia-based ERG, operates smart-card systems in Hong Kong, Toronto and San Francisco, among other cities. Metro, Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, Community Transit, Washington State Ferries, Pierce Transit and Kitsap Transit either have approved the deal or are expected to join in. Everett Transit is considering whether to participate. Additional funds will be provided by the Federal Transit Administration and Boeing. Mike Lindblom: 206-515-5631 or mlindblom@seattletimes.com [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
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