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Here in Austin, Texas Capital Metro does at least have an app that you can pay through. But I do agree that small transactions like that should be easier. Espe

• jdavis703 9y ago
  You're probably supposed to use the contactless "smart" card to board. In many systems this card is linked to your bank account and tops you off at a certain amount each time your balance reaches a certain minimum threshold (e.g. once your balance is $10, it takes out $40 from your bank account).
  • lucb1e 9y ago
    Huh, what's wrong with it taking exactly as much off as you're spending? Here contactless cards take it off exactly and immediately.
    • jdavis703 9y ago
      There are at least two problems. The first is that the banks are going to charge the agency a transaction fee. The second is that you start having to put in all kinds of anti-fraud mechanisms (think about someone riding around on buses with a negative account balance that never gets checked because the card scanner is only synced when the bus comes in to the depot). Not saying more user-friendly systems can't be rolled out, but this works good enough for most systems.
      • lucb1e 9y ago
        > think about someone riding around on buses with a negative account balance that never gets checked because the card scanner is only synced when the bus comes in to the depot The system here checks directly. But yeah I guess transaction fees, we typically don't see them but the merchants do. I know of only two places where it's visible: a mobile kebab store charges 10ct and a local ice cream parlor just doesn't have it because of costs. Other than that every place I know offers it without (mention of) fees.