Metro installing new generation of SmarTrip card readers

Metro is installing new SmarTrip card readers at many Metro stations. They expects to complete the installation around the end of August. The new readers are backwards-compatible with the current proprietary Smartrip card system, and forward compatible with ISO 14443 Type A and Type B cards, which are the standardized payment cards in the transit and bank card industries.

These new readers, along with the readers already installed in Metrobuses, will allow Metro to accept the new contactless credit cards like PayWave, Blink or others. Metro expects a software update to allow the Smartrip readers to accept the ISO standard cards by the end of the year. This upgrade may also allow Metro to purchase and use disposable contactless farecards, allowing social service organizations to distribute fare media that allow their clients to transfer for free. The need to buy $5 SmarTrip cards was one objection to Metro’s new “Smartrip Only” bus transfer policy.

Metro also installed readers on the “Add Fare” machines, and on every fare vending machine, not just the ones with Credit Transaction capability. Metro explained that they installed the readers on the Add Fare machines to equip them with extra functionality to allow for future expansion. I’m not sure what that means. I’ve also asked whether this change means that Metro will be able to accept farecards from other transit systems as long as they use the ISO standard protocol. I’ll follow up when I hear more.