Metro-North to test smartphone ticketing this summer - WFSB 3 Connecticut
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MTA Metro-North Railroad, working in conjunction with transit mobile ticketing specialists Masabi US Ltd., will begin testing an app that will let people buy their train tickets with their smartphone.
Metro-North officials said the technology will allow customers to use the phones to quickly and securely buy electronic tickets, which will help avoid standing in long lines or paying more for buying on the train.
"We are as excited to begin testing the next generation ticket-selling technology as we were when we introduced ticket vending machines a quarter of a century ago," said Metro-North President Howard Permut.
"Our customers adapted quickly to TVMs and the machines became the preferred way to buy tickets. The latest test is intended to ensure that the newest technology will be equally easy to use, as well as secure and reliable."
During the test, railroad employees will first download the app to their iPhones, Android and Blackberry phones, and through the app they will buy any type of ticket, one-way, round-trip, 10-trip, monthly etc., with any origin and destination using their debit and/or credit cards.
The time and date will then be electronically stamped and will show up on the buyers screen so the conductor can see the barcode and will be scanned by a hand-held device that the conductor will carry.
The testing will begin sometime next month.
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