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The Chicago Transit Authority wants to create a fare collection system where it can accept any kind of contactless payment card, Dennis Marshall, general manager of business development, tells CardLine. While that goal is a "few years" away, the authority plans to start soliciting bids from card companies in the first quarter of 2009 for its first partnership, Marshall says. "If the correct partner is identified, we could begin rolling out the beginning phases in late 2009," Marshall says. The authority already offers proprietary contactless cards customers can link to a credit card for automatic reloading. It also allows consumers to use credit and debit cards to purchase fare cards at certain kiosks located around the city (CardLine, 3/4). The transit authority also has been working to add other options to its card. Last month, it announced plans to create a card that would work on its buses and trains and for accessing cars operated by the local I-Go car-sharing service (CardLine, 10/17). The authority wants to simplify the process of buying rides by letting commuters use the same cards they use at other merchants, Marshall says. "CTA is joining the rest of the merchant universe," he says.
