10-16-2023, 05:21 PM
(10-16-2023, 01:14 PM)danbrotherston Wrote:(10-16-2023, 11:25 AM)tomh009 Wrote: NYC--but which NYC system? I rode on PATH last night, and I had to buy a paper ticket from a machine. And then there was the annoyance of getting the machine to accept a Canadian credit card ...
Haha, I remember taking the PATH train from Harrison when I was visiting NYC.
I found it amazing that a system with brand new trains still felt authentically 1990s, the paper tickets really completed the feel.
It looks like you were referring to the OMNY system, which works with either OMNY cards or with phones/credit cards. It's indeed pretty convenient, but years behind schedule (there are still no machines to buy cards at most stations), not universally adopted and with some technological limitations (e.g. cannot see remaining balance on card).
I think that Presto is technologically a better solution (for transit payment) although some of the decisions made by Metrolinx/TTC are somewhat questionable. The Tokyo area Suica/PASMO cards are an old system dating back over 20 years but payment opportunities are absolutely ubiquitous, you can buy them anywhere, payment processing is instantaneous and you always know how much money you have. And, yes, you can use your phone, too, if you wish. They simply just work.