Multipurpose Transit Payment Media

This report will be of interest to transit managers, transit operations personnel involved with fare collection, parking professionals, and the financial services community. It examines the potential for introducing multipurpose payment "smart cards" that can be used to purchase transit services from multiple operators, and, potentially, other goods and services (e.g., parking and retail products). This report examines smart card technology, legal and institutional issues associated with introducing multipurpose card programs, cost and revenue impacts, and customer attitudes. On the basis of experiences around the world, guidelines are provided for development of multipurpose fare payment programs.