EASIER RIDER

New York’s MTA Approves Plan to Scrap MetroCards

Moves toward “tap and go” payment system for fares.

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.”