Comments on: As if people using their phones on the subway wasn’t annoying enough http://subwayblogger.com/2006/10/19/as-if-people-using-their-phones-on-the-subway-wasnt-annoying-enough/ The only blog written from the NYC Subway system Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:10:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Jim http://subwayblogger.com/2006/10/19/as-if-people-using-their-phones-on-the-subway-wasnt-annoying-enough/comment-page-1/#comment-241 Jim Fri, 20 Oct 2006 14:48:42 +0000 http://subwayblogger.com/2006/10/19/as-if-people-using-their-phones-on-the-subway-wasnt-annoying-enough/#comment-241 I haven't used the new contactless fare program, but I wish the entire system would go that route. Instead of MetroCards that required a swipe, you'd have one with a radio chip embedded in it just like the cards many of us have to get into work, parking garages etc. The technology can distinguish yours from those around you even in a crowd. Imagine how convenient it would be not to have to take something out of your pocket/wallet -- many of these things can read through clothes. The barrier is the cost of the chips, but their prices are coming down. Failing that, I wish they'd offer a MetroCard option on a thicker, stiffer piece of plastic that you could wear on a chain, etc. and swipe w/o having to detach it. Or, using the same thick stock, they could offer a mini/keychain version like some credit card companies do. I'd opt for that even if they passed 100 percent of the extra cost on to me. I haven’t used the new contactless fare program, but I wish the entire system would go that route. Instead of MetroCards that required a swipe, you’d have one with a radio chip embedded in it just like the cards many of us have to get into work, parking garages etc.

The technology can distinguish yours from those around you even in a crowd. Imagine how convenient it would be not to have to take something out of your pocket/wallet — many of these things can read through clothes. The barrier is the cost of the chips, but their prices are coming down.

Failing that, I wish they’d offer a MetroCard option on a thicker, stiffer piece of plastic that you could wear on a chain, etc. and swipe w/o having to detach it. Or, using the same thick stock, they could offer a mini/keychain version like some credit card companies do. I’d opt for that even if they passed 100 percent of the extra cost on to me.

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