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NYC Plans to Ditch MetroCard in Effort to Modernize Public Transportation System
Emily McNutt
Contributor
Oct. 23, 2017
•
2 min read
NYC Plans to Ditch MetroCard in Effort to Modernize Public Transportation System
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The nation's largest public transportation system is expected to get a major overhaul. New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will likely approve a new payment system, which will, in turn, make the current MetroCard a thing of the past.
According to The New York Times, the MTA is expected to approve a $573 million contract, which will replace the outdated paper MetroCards. Instead, the city's subway and bus systems will adopt a more modern and convenient payment method — by waving their phone, credit or debit card at the turnstiles for subways and on the fareboxes for busses. The new system would be similar to what's been used on the London Underground for years, and will also be used on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North systems.
If approved on Monday afternoon, the electronic readers will be installed beginning late next year on 500 subway turnstiles and 600 busses. By late 2020, the system will have reached the rest of the subway stations and busses in the MTA's network. Even though the new technology will be completely implemented by late 2020, the MetroCard won't be phased out completely until 2023.
The new system will be a huge improvement for riders, who will no longer have to swipe their MetroCard at a subway turnstile or when entering a bus. Instead, riders will be able to tap and go. In addition, the new system will be pay-as-you-go, rather than prepaying a selected amount up front. Some things will stay the same. Rather than adopting a distance-based fare system like London uses, Joseph J. Lhota, the chairman of the transit authority, said that he's not contemplating changing the MTA's flat-fare structure.
Of course, regardless of how the your payment for each ride is processed, the charge should still register the same. Using a credit card that will earn you the most on your travel purchases is the best choice, and that should remain true even when this new system is potentially implemented. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve will earn you 3x points on travel purchases, including those on public transportation.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Cons
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- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.