The PATCO Wave & Pay Card open payment program which began on September 26, 2011, has finished Phase One, marking a watershed in the way in which consumers are able to use the same all-contactless transit payment card for both transit payments and retail purchases.
During Phase One of the pilot, PATCO riders could pay for all of their PATCO fares and parking expenses with the PATCO Wave & Pay ANYWHERE Visa® Prepaid Card. They also could use the same card for retail purchases – for example, to buy a snack at a convenience store or pick up dinner at the super market on the way home from work.
During Phase Two of the open payment program, riders will be now able to use contactless MasterCard and Discover cards, or a virtual card in a mobile wallet, at PATCO gates and parking terminals, in addition to the Wave & PAY card and all other contactless Visa cards. Contactless bank cards meet the industry standards for making secure transit payments at PATCO stations.
Wave & Pay cards are available for all PATCO riders online at www.PATCOpilot.com. There is no enrollment fee to acquire a Wave & Pay card. To follow the latest news and participate in the discussion, visit the PATCO blog at blog.PATCOpilot.com or follow on twitter @PATCOpilot.