T Starts Sign-Up For Testing Of Commuter Rail's Mobile Ticketing

The MBTA plans to introduce a commuter rail smartphone payment system this fall, and "sign-ups started Monday for riders who want to get involved with trial runs of the new technology," State House News Service reports.

The app, for iPhone, Android and Blackberry, will allow riders to buy and display tickets on their smartphones. (Here's the T's sign-up page for interested trial-phase riders.)

As the Boston Globe reports:

As work to develop the smartphone application progresses this summer, the T will draw from the list of riders who sign up to ask them to participate in focus groups and consumer testing. Riders who register may also be contacted to join a pilot program in early fall.

"The T would be the first major commuter rail in the US to offer passengers an alternative to paper," the Globe adds.

SHNS reports:

MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said the transit authority hopes making the train trips more convenient will increase ridership as mobile phone scheduling apps did for ridership on buses and subways.