Our long awaited EASY automated fare collection cards will become active on October 1. Check out the EASY Card website, where you will be able to add money to your card, check your balance, and find locations around town that will be offering the new card. MDT will still be accepting cash, but transfers will be more expensive than with the EASY card.
We first heard about the new fare collection system last year when MDT approved the $79.1 million fare collection system. Since then, stations and buses have been fitted with new faregates, which will reduce the number of fare evaders, and streamline fare collection. The EASY Card does come with a one time $2 fee that some might balk at, especially when compared to the free cards offered by the New York MTA or Boston’s MBTA. Worry not, because MDT officials plan on giving away a few hundred thousand cards to get the program started, and they are meant to last about three years.
The EASY cards are a huge step for MDT because they give transit planners and elected officials better data on ridership levels and optimum routes, which will give them a better idea of where to invest transit dollars. Stay tuned.
17 Responses to EASY Cards to Premier October 1!
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I’ve seen all the signage for the Easy Card for over a year now.
Unfortunately this new system probably won’t give us much information about the number of people who don’t pay to get on the bus, but just sweet talk their bus driver.
I wish I knew how to sweet talk bus drivers, I’d save all sorts of money on transit.
I’m glad it’s finally coming to fruition. I can’t wait.
I got one of the free cards, but their web-based registration system is borked.
who invented the Miami-Dade Transit’s Easy Card?
What do you mean by ‘invented’? Many cities around the world have similar automated payment cards. The EASY card technology is similar to that of some credit cards that have a chip that can be waved in front of the machines (also similar to gas credit cards, or speed passes).
I’d like to know why it costs 79 million dollars.
This messed up! I ride the Miami transit very frequently up to three or four times a day.I am a college student and I pay $42.50 to get a monthly discount metropass that let’s me go anywhere without the worry of having a remanding balance in the card.This is another way to ham fist the people of Miami and rip them off with stupid inconveniences i.e if you don’t have any remanding balance in your card you are force to pay $2.00 for your ride and each transfer after that.They know this is mess up.And the only reason they did this is to have less people waiting to get inside but that wouldn’t be a problem if the bus drivers where at there destination in time!!!! If anybody knows a way around this let me know.I really don’t want to be punished by forking up $100 or more a month because I use the rail and bus frequently.This is a slap in the face.
I wasn’t aware they’d be phasing out monthly passes.
Does anyone have any information about this?
I’m a student and I too would be heavily inconvenienced if I had to do anything other than buy a monthly pass. It saves me time, money, and worry.
Monthly passes are not being phased out.
can you please direct me to this source of information regarding the monthly college student Metropasses ?
http://www.miamidade.gov/transit/passtokens.asp
The monthly passes are not bring phased out. The college monthly pass is $50 for unlimited rides – a very good deal.
Why is there no provision for purchasing a Student Discount Monthly Pass at any of the Metro Rail Kiosks? Why do they make it difficult for students to purchase the $50 monthly pass ?
I can buy my Discounted TRI-RAIL ticket at the train station. I have to present the EDP Card (Employee Discount card that the TRI-RAIL issues) and I get a 25% discount. Why cant Metro Rail use the MDC ID Card as valid proof and issue the Easy Card for $50. for all students?
simply put …this is bullshit.I use to pay $38.
Students go to school, don’t they?
Why can’t they buy it at the school?
In M-D county there are thousands of people registered with MDC who are not actually taking any classes. Giving these people discounts would defeat the purpose of the student discount.
Prem, that IS the case (at least at FIU). They sell the discounted EASYCards to students with a Panther ID Card for $50. I think students even have to show their current course schedule as proof of being current students.
how u put money on your card if needed