REGIONAL SMART CARD INTEGRATION: BALTIMORE'S PERSPECTIVE

When the Maryland Mass Transit Administration (MTA) replaces its fare collection equipment and systems, it means that fareboxes, ticket vending machines, fare gates and related equipment for its bus, Metro, Light Rail, and commuter rail (MARC) services will all be replaced. MTA is in the process of introducing a regional interoperable smart card, which will eventually enable a person to ride on any transit system in the region with one card, the SmarTrip Card. This paper provides an overview of the services offered by Maryland MTA, a description of the scope of services to be provided under the Joint Bus Farebox Procurement with WMATA, and a discussion of the key issues considered regarding the implications of introducing smart cards.