SEPTA Releases Timeline for Smart Card System

It looks like Philly’s public transportation system will join the rest of the planet in the future sooner than later, now that SEPTA has released a timeline for its fare overhaul and transition to modern forms of payment. No longer will you have to pay a dowry of three lambs and a bag of feed to hop a bus across the city. Pilot testing on the new phone payments and card readers is expected to start next summer and then go live on buses, subway-elevated lines and trolleys next fall. So, go ahead and hold your breath. The Regional Rail will probably lag behind until sometime in 2014, though. [Metro]