Montreal's electronic bus passes a big success, transit corp. says
01.08.2008 18:00
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- Source: cbc.ca
The Montreal Transit Corporation reports its new electronic passes are more popular than expected, with 50,000 people using them, about three times more users than they had expected when they started issuing them in June. Up to now, the Opus cards have been available only at certain metro stations, but starting next week they will be available for 220,000 students in Montreal, Laval and Longueuil. "The students are very open to the new technology, and that is why we start with the students. After that, the students will teach the manners to the older people," said Serge Pilotte, director of the Opus program. As the use of Opus cards is expanded, it's expected the current system of issuing monthly and weekly transit passes will be phased out by next June, he said. The new electronic passes will feature the purchaser's picture, which means an additional identification card will no longer be necessary. "It should be possible to put the card on the blacklist [if it's lost or stolen]. If you put that on the blacklist, the card has no value, and the [transit corporation] will replace the card," Pilotte said. The corporation said it loses $20 million a year to fraud, something it is hoping its new electronic system will help prevent. Grade 10 student Steven Restrepo said Wednesday that students at his high school aren't shy about finding ways to avoid having to buy a transit pass. "They pass the cards from the windows and everything. They do that a lot," he said. The Opus type smart cards are already used in western Quebec by the Socit de transport de l'Outaouais. RelatedInternal LinksSmart transit cards come to Montreal, QuebecConsumer HeadlinesWeaker crude costs cutting Canadian pump pricesCanadian drivers are starting to see pump prices drop in recent weeks because of weakening demand for crude oil, according to figures published by the federal government.Bell's beavers bite itAfter cutting a good portion of its middle managers, Bell Canada has sent two more employees to the unemployment line: Frank and Gordon.New rules for Alberta bar patrons kick inNew liquor laws aimed at curbing binge drinking and reducing violence in Alberta bars and lounges took effect Friday. 'Keystone Kops' botched salmonella probe: U.S. committeeA U.S. House committee says the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control bungled the salmonella outbreak probe and maligned the tomato. Pesticides, pollutants threaten Canadian tap water, researchers suggestExperts say Canadians in smaller communities especially may be rolling the dice every time they drink water from the tap. Consumer Life FeaturesHUNGRY PLANETStuffed & StarvedRaj Patel's plan to change the global dietIN DEPTHDo-not-call listCanadians will soon be able to disconnect telemarketersIN DEPTHShoppingHow to bargain at retailBLOGFood BytesA berry strange taleBLOGComm-Oddities'Energy boosting' eel drink goes on sale for Japan's hot summerPeople who read this also read …
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