Bus Riders Charging Fares

The move toward a cashless society has taken a new turn in Phoenix, where Valley Metro bus riders can charge fares on their Visa or MasterCard.

In the first two days of the program that started Monday, 78 people riding Valley Metro paid with plastic.

The system is simple: just swipe the credit card through the machine already used by monthly pass holders and take a seat.

The transit industry will closely watch the program during its one-year trial period, said Chip Bishop of the American Public Transit Association in Washington.

It is believed to be the first of its kind in the nation, he said.

Bus rider Laura Reyes likes it.

“If you have the card and you don’t want to carry money, or don’t have the change, it’s great,” Reyes said before boarding a bus Wednesday.