RTD To Test Smart Card System

DENVER (CBS4) - The Regional Transportation District wants to make riding the bus and light rail more convenient by getting rid of the need to carry cash. It's about to test a new $15 million smart card system.

"When the customer boards the bus you can see that a the green light pops up," said Bruce Abel, RTD Assistant General Manager.

By 2013 pre-paid smart cards will work just like a debit card for fares on buses and light rail. Because the cards also record customer trips electronically, the transit line benefits.

"From RTD's perspective it will help us expedite boarding processes so that we have better schedule adherence," Abel said.

Getting away from traditional currency is what customers want, according to RTD.

"Right now two out of every three transit riders have no use for cash and by the year 2013 it's estimated more than four of five transit riders will be doing some form of prepayment."

Some RTD riders say they use iPhones to pay for much of what they buy.

"This is relatively wide spread in Europe. In terms of the United States it's beginning to gain traction."

People will still need cash for the hotdog vendor but by making prepaying easier, RTD believes transit will become more convenient and more popular.

RTD will begin pilot testing the new smart card system next month with the help of 850 transit riders in Boulder.