Edmonton Transit to go ahead with smart cards

Edmonton is going ahead with smart transit cards despite concerns theymay not reduce the number of people who scam the system by using the LRT without payment.

• City considers smart fare cards to combat fare evasion

Mayor Don Ivesonsaysthe cards are more a matter of convenienceand willhelp encourage people to use transit.

However,it'll take a couple of years before the program is in place.

"Realistically to do a competitive procurement and get the best value out there and put in the best system is going totake a little bit of time and then bolting it into a thousand buses is going totake some time as well."

Iveson said he'd like to see passengers using the cardsin 2016.

The city has set aside $7millionto help pay for the scanners needed. The city will will apply forgrant money from the province to help pay the remaining $20million.