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eMoney News

Passes 'encourage uptake of transit systems'
10 Jul 2009

The Chicago Tribune reports of how the city's transit systems have encouraged uptake among passengers by offering preferential pricing on prepaid passes.

Previously, promotions on the transit systems used in Chicago have included discounted rates when using prepaid smart cards.

Now those benefits have been changed to allow for savings when buying a monthly travel ticket in advance, rather than making a month's worth of daily journeys.

As a result of the change, the Chicago Tribune notes that some passengers are using public transport more and leaving their cars at home.

Vickie Johnson, an accountant who travels on the Red Line, tells the publication: "The monthly pass didn't make sense for me before.

"Now I'm buying a pass every month and using the Chicago Transit Authority to run errands on weekends instead of driving."

In the UK, Bolton Council smart card holders will be able to use their sQuid-enabled card for public transport too.