AMNY Subway Tracker

Here in New York, “smart cards” for the subway are still just a faraway concept.

But the Los Angeles MTA is aggressively moving forward with the high-tech devices which work like an E-ZPass for mass transit.

Defense contractor and MetroCard vending machine manufacturer Cubic is touting their Transit Access Pass in L.A.

From a Cubic press release:

With Cubic's completion of the installation of all field equipment for Metro's rail and bus services, the second phase now is underway to complete the Regional Central Data Collection System (RCDCS), which will provide the regional back office and clearinghouse functions needed to perform funds settlement and financial reconciliation and manage data for the regional participants. The system will be used to generate reports; manage the Autoload function and hotlist files; perform credit/debit card transaction processing; and distribute TAP card information to the TAP services providers.

In the coming months, eleven other independent transit operators across Los Angeles County will join the Universal Fare System, furthering the goal of a seamless system for the region. Soon public transit commuters from surrounding cities and communities will be able to travel across the county switching from one transit operator's system to another using one smart card to pay for fares.

Meanwhile, in New York, the MTA is weighing its options.

"We still need to determine the cost benefits of choosing a proprietary system, a bank-card system or potentially some hybrid," said MTA Deputy Executive Director Linda Kleinbaum told the Post last week.

And, we haven’t heard any updates on Citigroup’s PayPass trial. Guess it’s just slowly chugging along.

-- Chuck Bennett

The testing pool for Citigroup's mobile phone PayPass experiment on the Lexington Line turns out to be a bit smaller than The Tracker expected. Just 300 lucky riders got the new phones to use on the Tap N Go censors, according to Citi spokeswoman Allie Riley.

-- Chuck Bennett

Tucked away in the MTA's Capital Plan 2005 - 2009 budget is $43.9 million for "Smart Card Implementation" in 2007.

Don't worry, the MTA isn't trying to sneak in the Smart Cards next year.

When asked about it, NYC transit spokesman Paul Fleauranges said:

"Most likely a budget line/place holder for future modernization/upgrade of the AFC system. We haven't decided what we're doing there yet.. First we'll have to make a policy decision on the technology sid (our own smartcard, use of a banking option like PayPass, etc.) and come back to the board with a plan and budget."

Anyone using their Smart Cards? I have yet to witness someone using them yet and I take the Lexington Line almost daily.

-- Chuck Bennett

Expect lots of optimistic talk of Smart Cards tomorrow at a NYU forum on “contactless smart cards.” Already billed a as a “paradigm shift.” The panelists all come from a pro-smart card perspective. Wonder if all the worry warts who raise identity theft concerns will have a say.

Featured Panelists:

Randy Vanderhoof, Smart Card Alliance
Gregory Garback, Smart Card Alliance
Burt Willhem, MasterCard Worldwide
Steve Frazzini, MTA NYC Transit
Paul Korczak, MTA NYC Transit

The PayPass crew was out in force this morning at the 96th and Lex station. Four young public relations folks -- decked out in Nascar inspired black and green checkered jumpsuits -- were handing out PayPass fliers. They even had a giant arrow pasted on the floor leading up to the one turnstile equipped with the PayPass reader.

The Tracker didn’t observe any takers. Now, The Tracker doesn’t think anything is wrong with PayPass, but The Tracker like most people is scared of change.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

For those PayPass guinea pigs living along the Lexington Line -- free rides all week.

The Tracker isn’t sure if this is a sign of desperation because folks just aren’t using or just another way of testing the PayPass. In other promotional literature from PayPass the subway isn’t even mentioned.

Even so, NYC Transit head Larry Reuter said last month that Citi is looking to expand the scope and duration of the pilot program.

The Tracker’s own test of it found it to be less “tap-n-go” and more “tap-wait-go.”

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

Maybe the PayPass pilot program on the Lexington Line isn’t taking off. The latest mailer from Citibank promoting the product doesn’t even mention using it on the subway. It lists drug stores, fast food, parking garages and movie theaters. No subway anywhere.

-- Chuck Bennett amNY.com

With Citibank-issued tag in hand, I tried to make my first high-tech foray into the system on the inaugural night of the EZ-Tap trial. But the test tag was a dud from the get go. I turned to a station-booth worker at Grand Central's Lexington stop, who politely told me to call Citibank. It was frustrating that no one would help, but indeed, transit workers have been told to refer problems with the tags, which are part of a six-month trial, to the bank.  (In other words, don't give them a hard time if they can't help you with it.) Anyhow, a replacement test tag is on its way, and we'll try again.

Tracker would love to hear about your experiences thus far with the tags. Drop us a line in the comments section.

-- Rolando Pujol

Earlier Tracker coverage of Tap and Go:

Contactless payment technology, powered by MasterCard PayPass

Not One Less

Future on tap

Spotted in the wild ...

AP Photo

With Citibank-issued tag in hand, I tried to make my first high-tech foray into the system on the inaugural night of the EZ-Tap trial. But the test tag was a dud from the get go. I turned to a station-booth worker at Grand Central's Lexington stop, who politely told me to call Citibank. It was frustrating that no one would help, but indeed, transit workers have been told to refer problems with the tags, which are part of a six-month trial, to the bank.  (In other words, don't give them a hard time if they can't help you with it.) Anyhow, a replacement test tag is on its way, and we'll try again.

Tracker would love to hear about your experiences thus far with the tags. Drop us a line in the comments section.

-- Rolando Pujol

Earlier Tracker coverage of Tap and Go:

Contactless payment technology, powered by MasterCard PayPass

Not One Less

Future on tap

Spotted in the wild ...

AP Photo

Kaikow today answered the transit union’s charge that the “Tap & Go” program will lead to less workers in the subway.

“All of the things we put in, technological advances, we never replace personnel. We never use it for that. And in fact, some personnel can be redirected and there will be more customer service representatives,” the chairman said.

But, to be clear that no workers will taken out, New York City Transit spokesman Paul Fleuranges just sent this statement:

“This trial has absolutely nothing to do with staff reductions. Since when is providing alternatives to customers, and exploring the latest in technology aimed at reducing employees? This is just a trial of new technology, to determine if it is adaptable in the transit environment. Remember this is technology we haven't committed to deploying – that decision will be made after the trial is over. This has absolutely nothing to do with getting rid of people. The Union leadership needs to come up with another line, this one is getting real tired.”

When the 158 token booths were closed in 2004 all of the 600 clerks stayed in the system, many of them
as customer service agents.

-- Chuck Bennett

A couple observations from today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony from the new “smart card” trial program at the Shuttle entrance in Grand Central Station:

1. The official name, according to corporate spokeswoman Jennifer Knoeppel, is the “contactless payment technology, powered by MasterCard PayPass.”  It isn’t “contactless.” One has to hold the card or tag directly on the bulls eye for it to ready. And, who can really utter that mouthful? "Tap & Go" is much nicer.

2. I counted -- no exaggeration -- fifty (50) corporate flacks and hacks from Citibank, MasterCard, and Alan Taylor Communications, at the event. Isn’t that a bit ridiculous? By comparison, the MTA seems like an lean operation. In fact, all the suits present prompted me to apologize to MTA executive director Katie Lapp for quoting people in past articles calling the MTA a “bloated bureaucracy.”

3. Some may remember when gadfly mayoral candidate Christopher Brodeur (now serving time in Rikers for threatening to kill a reporter) suggested the MTA install big industrial fans to cool subway stations during the summer. An event planner took his advice and brought out big window sized fans for the ceremony. Still, everyone shvitzed.

4. New York Giants running back Tiki Barber is the corporate pitchman for the “Tap & Go” program.  Barber initially quipped with reporters that he hadn’t taken the subway since he became famous. But later at the Grand Central Station ribbon-cutting ceremony, the All-star who lives on the Upper East Side said he sometimes takes the No. 6 train incognito to beat the morning grab for cabs. “It’s so early in the morning people are in a fog, they don’t recognize me,” he said.

5. Executives from MasterCard and Citibank refused to say how much money they invested in the program. The MTA is paying nothing but it is unclear who would pay for it if the program was implemented citywide.

6. It appears rank-and-file transit workers were pulled from the station and replaced by supervisors. Why?

-- Chuck Bennett 

Workers this morning equip a 42nd Street turnstile with signs for the "contactless payment" fare initiative that will last six months on the Lexington line. Participants who prepay $20 will get 12 trips for the price of 10, and will be eligible for up to six free rides. But you won't be able to get typical MetroCard discounts, or use the bus during the trial phase. Those who want to be pioneers can get information here.

UPDATE: The big announcement of the program is Tuesday at Grand Central Terminal. On board for the fun will be Giants running back Tiki Barber.

-- Rolando Pujol

Tiki photo by Howard Schnapp

... A new smart card reader. These devices or ones like them could one day be on every turnstile in the system. This one is waiting for test taps at the No. 7 station entrance on 42nd Street between Third and Lexington avenues. 

-- Rolando Pujol

The NY Post took a look at Judge Theodore Jones written decision for the transit union.

If the TWU promises not to strike again they could get the precious automatic dues check off restored in three months.  Of course, the union rejected the offer. Maybe they’ll go to the PayPal plan after all.

-- Chuck Bennett

The test run of new swipeless "smart cards" on the Lexington line to one day replaced MetroCards is the big transit news of the day.

Just tapping a credit card or key chain will unlock the turnstile if all goes according to plan. And the technology is there to one day merge the smart cards with New Jersey Transit, PATH, Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road.

"If it’s like a key chain, that would be cool," said Chris Ricketts, 31, a promoter for Sal's Comedy Hole in the West Village.

He complained that about once a month when swiping his unlimited MetroCard he erroneously gets the "Just used" message and unsympathetic station agents just tell him to wait the 10 or 15 minutes for the card to reset.

"I get pissed off being told to wait 15 minutes. I have places to go," he said.

Separately, in The Daily News, Pete Donohue reports on fisticuffs within the transit union during the tense weeks before its contract expired. What a bully, a 6’3" "burly" so-called dissident union allegedly roughed up a 5’5" 180 pound ally of union prez Roger Toussaint.

-- Chuck Bennett