CHICAGO -- The Chicago Transit Authority has installed fare card machines in grocery stores, giving a peek at the future of what has become a popular way to pay mass transit fares, according to the Chicago Tribune.
So far, rail riders seem to approve of the plastic cards that store prepaid fare credits on magnetic strips.
About 1.5 million people ride the CTA each day -- 1 million by bus and 500,000 by rail. Of that number, 89.5 percent of rail riders now use the electronic fare cards instead of cash or passes, according to the CTA.
The cards have been slower to catch on with bus riders -- only 38.6 percent use them for first rides -- because before this test the high-tech vending machines were only located inside CTA stations.
According to the CTA, transit officials from other cities are contacting the agency with questions about implementing similar programs.
The electronic cards were first used in June 1997. Last May the CTA eliminated tokens as a method of fare payment -- leaving riders with cash, card or pass options.
CTA officials said they are ready to take the next step. The agency is currently testing smart card technology.
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