Chicago’s Regional Transportation Authority, which is developing a revamped fare system allowing riders to pay with contactless credit cards, may expand that service to include NFC-compliant phones as well.

“I think it’s one of the most promising technologies out there,” commented Joseph Moriarty, the RTA’s principal analyst. “More people carry a cell phone than carry credit or debit cards.”

Once implemented, it’s a system that could extend to other transit systems around the country, meaning an NFC phone is all a rider would need to access transportation in San Francisco, which has already tested NFC, or Chicago. No cash, paper ticket or pass would be needed.

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