contact stored value smart card payment system managed uses compatible payment system called agreement allows card travel participating transit systems baltimore washington metropolitan area unlike traditional paper bus passes designed permanent rest article refer specific difference began payment followed shortly metro parking lots later extended public transit systems region users receive initially drew criticism limited number sales locations distribution expanded local convenience stores late stations equipped machines october announced working replacement system company makes cards gone business transit agency found alternate manufacturer produce additional cards new payment system introduced march cards payment method paper longer accepted overview cards inches roughly size credit card driver license card brought close proximity circular target inserted slot card radio frequency identification chip inside close proximity target usually necessary actually touch card touched target desired card inside purse passed target speed convenience paper physically inserted slot system touching card target display value remaining opens entering exiting display remaining value cases appropriate fare automatically accounting applicable transfers effort reduce fraud waste metro announced october eliminating paper bus transfers effective january riders wished advantage reduced fare transfers required pay paper bus passes eliminated january passes available pass rules different passes available include day day day fast passes valid unlimited travel day short trip pass sold allowing unlimited peak rides unlimited peak rides trips costing difference fare stored value card necessary allows maximum pass stored day passes monthly passes plus cash stored card metro sells cards day rail pass online price pass july including commemorative cards issued standard cards purchased machines stations metro sales offices selected retail stores online purchase price includes card plus initial fare value varies depending purchased cards purchased stations cost card fare value purchased online cost card fare value cards machines cash onboard buses riders add value cards trading paper unused value difference maximum value stored card store value store different qualifications inter system usage providers passes non cash loads employee transit benefits stored card separate purse cash loads purse benefits issuing system benefit day pass issued valid issued monthly pass valid loaded mean possible identical different passes like monthly pass day pass simultaneously loaded card monthly transit benefits provided employer valid system employer registered employer registered provide transit benefits grant benefits usable washington area transit providers benefits loaded cash loaded card valid vehicles means purse funds cash person authorized monthly bus pass employee benefits use benefit pay rail travel day pass discounted half fare cards different rules seniors disabled purchased person metro agent authorized sales office person disabled rider proof disability disabled card seniors disabled available reduced fare office downtown baltimore similar requirements proof age disability charges fee plus load value senior disabled card merely requires value initially loaded senior disabled fee card exit fare machines paper previously accept riders insufficient value pay fare allowed exit system negative balance negative balance paid card enter system addition card contain sufficient value pay fee order exit metro parking lot board ride bus owners allowed exit system unlimited negative balance previously rejected proposals reduce price cards starting september metro began offering customers registered cards online purchase cards cost credit card days use starting riders required minimum balance cards half fare senior disabled cards order enter system reduced possible negative balance exit effective october price card reduced program discontinued maximum permitted negative balance exit set riders exceed required use machines add value cards cards comply type standard contained card stores value rider recent entry exit points unique unique linked person identity registers card online registering cards allows riders recover remaining balance minus replacement fee card lost stolen damaged unique allows workers enrolled program allows employers employee transportation costs tax free credit monthly benefits cards system built designed inc subsidiary san_diego based october cubic reportedly longer producing cards december issued request proposals replacement system new payment system expected use federal employee certain smart phones addition stored value cards january announced contract new system awarded transit agency announced found replacement manufacturer cards avoid shortages new payment system goes place customers likely notice differences new cards slightly thinner cheaper produce history contact smart card transit united_states began selling cards cards circulation november readers readers introduced parking garage gates december cards use february replaced improve speed range processing started pilot project students public schools cards compatible new cards serve student identification card provide reduced metro student hours cards intended address youth behavior problems stations design standard card stylized picture car representations united_states capitol stylized versions classical architecture found washington metro logo appears left senior available automatically applicable discounted senior citizens age design identical standard card printed shades bright yellow brown instead blue green senior allows discounted card purchased person valid metro sales office authorized promotional cards issued commemorate opening newly built stadium special cards commemorating inauguration president barack_obama issued january july special july commemorative card introduced june metro celebrated anniversary issuing commemorative cards featuring popular zoo baby residents july commemorative card issued celebrate opening march metro unveiled new card design celebrate 40th anniversary system opening criticism early criticism cards sold suburban stations online selected retailers metro sales offices metro reached agreement sell cards area locations effort increase use cards sold area grocery store chains late installed machines stations number features supposed introduced creator fully implemented initially riders add value card stations cash boarding november years delays announced customers ability add funds cards online september deadline missed launch online feature september allowed customers load seven day unlimited pass cards april trips card exception bus transfers passes charged individual way offers discounted rail bus passes customers trips day trips short trips seven day period users use day unlimited pass manually load transit pass cards contrast card system london underground example automatically capped ensure customers pay cost day pass day complaints customers cards cease work result placing card proximity metal physically damaging card cases metro guarantees fund balance card transferred new card customers complained processing balance transfers promptly parking controversial announced new parking payment system way pay parking metro operated lots effective june reports widespread theft metro parking contractor decision prompted complaints metro customers including tourists users card april began testing use credit cards pay parking metro stations avoiding need pay parking cards stations sites vienna town center exit lane station accepts credit card payments reader existing card target announced credit card exit lane available metro pay exit parking facilities participating systems following list transit systems accept card payment uses compatible payment system manufacturer agreement allows patrons use payment card travel participating systems baltimore washington metropolitan area virginia regional transit separate bus service serves participate
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