The NFTA will hold its second public hearing on proposed upgrades to its fare system Thursday in Buffalo.
Wednesday night, the authority outlined the $20 million proposal at Niagara Falls City Hall. The new system would do away with tokens. Instead, riders would carry a smart card, similar to those used in cities such as New York and Washington, D.C.
People would also eventually be able to use a mobile app for access. Perhaps most importantly, fare prices would remain the same. A spokesperson says the upgrade would make things easier and faster for riders.
"This card is nice. It's contact-less, so you'll be able to just tap it. You don't have to insert it or swipe it, you just tap your card or you can still use cash," said NFTA spokesperson Michael Martineck.
This evening's public hearing begins at 5 p.m. at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library in downtown Buffalo.