SEPTA seeks bids for smart cards

It could soon take just the swipe of a card to ride the subway.

SEPTA took the first steps toward revamping its fare-collection system by requesting proposals for an electronic "smart card" payment system last week.

The new system, which officials say could be completed within two years, will allow SEPTA passengers to wave a pre-loaded "smart card" to ride the subway.

SEPTA hopes that passengers will eventually be able to use debit and credit cards to pay for their fares, allowing for even more flexibility.

"You can call it a smart-card project, but it's far beyond that," said John McGee, director of ridership and revenue for SEPTA.

A firm charged with developing the initiative will be chosen in the spring. The project may cost as much as $100 million, so SEPTA has made clear that it is hoping to get proposals which offer financing options to reduce the cost the agency would have to pay.

SEPTA is giving bidders freedom to think of the best possible system.

"We are looking for innovation from the industry and looking to procure something that is state of the art, but something that will remain useful to the region," McGee said.

For some, this is a smart move.

"The technology is evolving and we wouldn't expect people in a transportation company to have that knowledge," said Matthew Mitchell, a member of the board of directors of the Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers, a regional transportation advocacy group.

According to Mitchell, Philadelphia is not likely to see some of the more integrated ideas roll out in the near future.

"A universal payment system that would allow debit cards is not going to make it into the initial system," he said. "There's a lot of backhand infrastructure; it's not as simple as buying new turn-styles."

The company that ends up winning the contract will have to create data lines and update old technology.

Despite this investment by the city to improving technology, Mitchell says SEPTA needs to roll out policy changes as well.

"So far we haven't seen much of a commitment from SEPTA to make this as customer-friendly as we'd like," he said.

Mitchell would like to see other changes that would benefit commuters, such as lowering fares for passengers who switch from Regional Rails to SEPTA.

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