No More Metrocards by 2019

Metropolitan Transportation Authority is planning to retire MetroCards. Instead of swiping into the subway or dipping onto the bus, commuters will be tapping their keychains, smart phones and credit cards by as soon as 2019.

“We’re expecting the credit card industry to adopt NFC and RFID payments,” says NY MTA spokesperson Aaron Donovan. “That’s a broader trend taking place outside of the MTA.” You can already tap your credit card to pay a taxi fare. There are re-loadable Oyster transit pass cards in London and mobile ticketing is available in Portland and Boston, and other cities around US. The future is here, sort of.