Three-in-one? RTA wants one card for CTA, Pace and Metra

A timetable for improving fare collection and the potential testing of a credit-card based fare card for all transit was proposed Thursday by the Regional Transit Authority. Chicago Cards, smart cards used to electronically pay for CTA buses and trains in the city, were widely introduced in 2000 and are already linked to Pace buses, but Metra still uses daily one-way tickets, 10-day or monthly passes, which can only be bought by cash or check. RTA's end goal is for passengers to pay a single fare to travel on different parts of Chicago's transit system through an electronic payment system. One card for the three forms of mass transit would eliminate inconveniences such as buying a ticket at a Metra station to avoid paying an extra fee on the train.

According to the proposed schedule, Metra riders would be able to use credit cards at Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center in the last three months of 2010; conductors would be able to use hand-held ticket readers by 2011's end. Testing of the new fare-collecting technology on the CTA could begin by next spring. By creating better communication and coordination between the CTA, Metra and Pace suburban buses, the RTA is in keeping with legislation passed last year meant to strengthen its role in bridging the gap between the three entities.

[Tribune via Gapers Block]