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More SEPTA-ing: The Long And Winding Road To The SEPTA Smart Card, Continued

septa smart card
Yes, but it will it have M/F stickers? AND WHAT EXACTLY WILL THAT EVEN STAND FOR?

When last we discussed that most Philadelphian of urban unicorns — the SEPTA Smart Card, which, PS, STILL DOES NOT ACTUALLY EXIST — it was, holy smokes, 18 months ago already. (Time flies when you’re having none!) Well, today brings some good-ish news: According to this post on SEPTA’s website, they’re getting there! One third of the way there, even!

SEPTA is implementing NPT [New Payment Technologies] in three phases over a three-year period. The first phase – design – is currently underway. Installation and implementation will begin on transit modes, including buses, trolleys and the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines, during the second half of 2013. By late 2014, SEPTA expects to extend the system to Regional Rail lines. CCT Paratransit and SEPTA parking lots will also be equipped with this electronic payment technology.

Think of it: Christmas morning 2013. Guess what’s in your stocking? THE FUTURE!

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 23rd, 2012 at 11:16 am.

  • EmmKayPHL

    Christmas morning 2014 for suburban commuters.

  • http://twitter.com/soundofphilly soundofphilly

    SEPTA is so hipster! They’re just waiting for 2014 because “smart” cards will be retro by then.

  • David Parrott

    So we’ll get smart cards by the time everyone else moves on to NFC payment? Great! Awesome! Fantastic! …

    -_-

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=506313775 Kenya Bates

    Maybe I’m a little slow, but what is the advantage of the smart card over the current trans pass?

  • http://www.facebook.com/bryant.burkhart Bryant Burkhart

    Oh, come on. When they first unveiled the project they stated in no uncertain terms that it was going to take at least 3 years to roll out. It’s a complicated system and they’re trying to not only catch up, but leap-frog and future proof the system. It’s called “new payment technologies”–plural–because they’re working to integrate NFC into the system. Cash, credit, smart card, NFC. Swipe your phone, ride the train.

    Yes, it’s decades behind schedule. Yes, it sucks having walk through the subway pockets jingling like a 17th century pirate. But they haven’t changed their song since they started, and they’re definately moving in a positive direction.

  • Jayayess1190

    Ability to reload the card, the death of tokens/transfers/zone fares because it will all be handled via the card. Basically fares should be a lot easier to deal with. All the different monthly/weekly/day pass and transpass/trailpasses will be combined into one card.