Switch..

Like Spend $200 million on new equipment, systems, staff, advertising?

We have a perfectly fine system in use. Just print disposable trans passes in place of tokens.

" "Naturally, this ridership revolution did not come without
cost. NYCTA had to reassign a large number of new indi-
viduals to clean their new Metrocard readers to keep them
from malfunctioning. Also, the cost of adding Metrocard
vending machines to its 468 subway stations has been sig-
nificant. In addition, there has been an adverse impact on
operating revenue. Overall, NYCTA estimates its average
fare has declined from $1.38 to $1.08; its revenue/expense
ratio has declined from 74% to 64%; and its overall level of
operating revenue declined by 3% last year. Last, but not
least, the Authority adopted a new $17.5 billion five-year
capital program, of which $3 billion is dedicated to rebuild-
ing existing new vehicles and procuring some new vehicles
to help accommodate the increases in ridership.""

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"

Hell, I'd be happy if they just put a couple of token machines INSIDE the turnstiles at City Hall.

Well, the bookstore at Univ. of the Sciences down on 43rd in the Whitecar building sells 5 packs of tokens for 6.50 (the reg. 1.30 per token rate).

Whenever I'm around there I just stop in and go to the cashier and ask for a pack. It's convenient.

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When Life gives you Lemons... Throw them F***ers back and DEMAND Florida Oranges!

I agree. Most every other major city I've been to in the WORLD has travel smartcard that is so much more convenient and easy to use than Philly's antiquated system. But I feel like a lot of things here run in an out-of-date manner and continue to work like that because people make excuses like saying it costs too much to update or the current system works fine. Every system in this city that stays behind the rest of the country and the world is just another reason why Philadelphia will continue to be backwards and not as great as people make it out to be.

Change isn't necessarily a bad thing.