The Gazette’s Andy Riga reports that Montreal’s smart card, which will be used to store transit passes and cash value for the STM, RTL, STL and AMT, will be tested early next month with a “few select Montreal bus and métro users.” The results of the test will determine any last-minute changes that need to be made before the smart card system is fully unveiled next spring. It’s a nice, clearly-written article so I’ll provide an excerpt that deals with some of the smart card’s details:
The MTC is spending $169 million on the technology. Users will get a permanent smart card, topping it up when needed. Instead of storing information on magnetic strips (as current passes do), the new cards rely on embedded microchips.
To board métros and buses, the cards will be passed in front of readers.
Until the new system is in place, old and new card-readers/turnstiles will co-exist in métro stations – the new, no-contact variety and the old ones, some of which date back to the métro’s inauguration in 1966.
About 60 per cent of the 470 new card-readers required have been installed in métro stations so far, Paradis said. The rest are to be in place by early 2008. The MTC will soon add card readers to the high-tech fare boxes already installed on buses.
“We aim to start rolling the cards out in the spring,” Paradis said.
“But before we can give a date, we have to test it – to see how easy it is to use, how people interact with the equipment.”
The MTC says it expects the new equipment to reduce fraud. The technology may also be used to introduce new fare options, such as discounted off-peak prices and family passes.
When adding value to the cards using automated machines, users will be able to pay for a weekly or monthly pass, or a number of single tickets.
Commuters will have the option of buying disposable magnetic cards containing six regular-fare tickets.
Fare collectors will continue to accept cash.
For a full background on the development of Montreal’s smart card as well as the history of public transit smart card systems around the world, you can check out a feature I wrote last March for the Gazette, available at Urbanphoto or on the newspaper’s website.
I’m disappointed that the most pressing questions have yet to be answered: what will the card be named and how do I become one of the special customers who get to test it?
One comment
More pressing question: will the topping up process be anonymous or tied to your credit-card/debit card or some method of identifying you?
Take for example the case of Tokyo: two card systems were launched almost simultaneously: Suica and Passmo. (You cna now use either system wide, long story.) Suica is totally anoymous: you buy a card (with cash, cause you can) and top it up at the machines (again, with cash still). Passmo requires registration (not sure if they require credit card). Now, conisdering that these cards are usable not only on transport but also in “konbini” (japanese dépanneurs), not only do they capture individual movement stats, but also what you buy, where, and when. (also you can get keitai–mobile “phone”– with the “card” in them)
Oyster in London allows anonymous use as well, but you get more benefits if you register it (tie it to a credit card and you’ll never have to top up)
I find it utterly hilarious also that the MUC is all “oh we have to test it to see if people can use it/if it’s easy enough”.. like Montrealers are stupider than people in all the other major cities world wide that have these systems in place already and who love them?
just the ones I’ve used: Oyster (London), Navigo (Paris), Octopus (Hong Kong), Suica/Passmo (Tokyo)
It really makes urban transport so much easier.