New York’s MTA Approves Plan to Scrap MetroCards

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority board has voted to take another step toward implementing a “tap” payment system and eventually doing away with the MetroCard. The board’s finance committee unanimously voted to give a $573 million contract to Cubic Transportation Systems for the project; a full board vote will follow Wednesday. “They’re looking at the most modern technologies available,” said MTA Chairman Joe Lhota. “When I see most people go into Starbucks, I actually pay in cash, but it seems like everybody else does a tap-and-go with their smartphone. That’s going to be the way that you can pay for your fares in the future.”