FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM OCTOBER 12, 2017 • THE QUEENS COURIER 11
MTA working on new tech that could make MetroCards obsolete
BY ANGELA MATUA
amatua@qns.com /@AngelaMatua
Th e MTA announced its plan to phase
out MetroCards by 2022 and the agency
has begun experimenting with technology
that would replace the old system.
Currently, only agency personnel using
the eTix smartphone app for MetroNorth
and LIRR tickets can use the new technology
when transferring to the subway.
Instead of swiping a card, customers
can tap their phones or credit card on a
scanner. According to the MTA’s capital
plan, it would cost approximately $450
million to overhaul the entire system.
Th e new payment system was recently
installed in the Bowling Green Station
on the 4 and 5 line and the Wall Street
Station on the 2 and 3 lines, the Daily
News fi rst reported.
“We’ve started to test new systems that
will ultimately enable MTA eTix users
to purchase a joint railroad and subway
ticket using their mobile phone,” said
Shams Tarek, spokesperson for the agency.
“It’s part of our eff orts to create a
21st-century transit system that embraces
innovation to improve the customer
experience.”
It was also announced today that MTA
booth workers would instead become
“customer service ambassadors” and
answer straphangers’ questions, the Daily
News reported. Since current agents handle
MetroCard transactions and the MTA
will eventually do away with the cards, the
employees would focus more on answering
questions and providing information
about any construction or delays.
Th e 53rd Street station on the R line
in Brooklyn was recently renovated
and now includes new customer service
ambassadors.
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