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{{Short description|Public transit smart card used in Philadelphia}}
{{refimprove|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox electronic payment
{{Infobox electronic payment
|logo=
|image=
|name= Freedom Card
|name= Freedom Card
|location= [[Philadelphia]] and [[South Jersey]]
|location= [[Philadelphia]] and [[South Jersey]]
|launched=
|launched= 2007
|service_1= [[PATCO Speedline]]
|service_1= [[PATCO Speedline]]
|service_2= [[parking]]
|service_2= PATCO station parking fees
|service_3=
|service_3= [[SEPTA]] Transit Routes (Freedom Share card only)
⚫
|sales_location_1= Service centers
|service_4=
⚫
|sales_location_2= Vending machines
|service_5=
|service_6=
⚫
|sales_location_1= Service Centers
⚫
|sales_location_2= Stations (paper card vending machines)
|sales_location_3=
|sales_location_4=
|currency= [[United States dollar|US $]]
|currency= [[United States dollar|US $]]
|stored_value= Pay as you go
|stored_value= Pay as you go
|credit_expiry= 10 years (balance transferrable)
|credit_expiry= 10 years (balance transferable)
|maximum_credit=
|automatic_recharge= Autoload replenishment
|automatic_recharge= Autoload replenishment
|unlimited_use=
|variant_1= Freedom Share Card
|variant_1= Reduced Fare Program (seniors, disabled)
|variant_2= Transit Benefit Card (T-Card)
|technology_1= [[Contactless smart card]] by<br/>[[Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc.]]
|variant_2=
|variant_3=
|technology_1=
|operator=
|manager= [[PATCO Speedline|PATCO]]
|manager= [[PATCO Speedline|PATCO]]
|homepage= http://www.ridepatco.org/schedules/freedom.asp
|homepage= {{URL|https://www.patcofreedomcard.org/|patcofreedomcard.org}}
}}
}}


The '''Freedom Card''' is a [[contactless smartcard]] fare collection system used by [[PATCO Speedline]] in [[New Jersey]] and [[Philadelphia]].
The '''Freedom Card''', stylized as '''FREEDOM Card''', is a [[contactless smartcard]] fare collection system used by the [[PATCO Speedline]] in [[New Jersey]] and [[Philadelphia]].<ref name=Laughlin>{{cite news| url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52588256/philadelphia-daily-news/| title=New PATCO card will give riders SEPTA freedom| first=Jason| last=Laughlin| newspaper=Philadelphia Daily News| date=May 30, 2018| page=13| via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref>


== External links ==
== Technology ==
The chip embedded in the card is a [[MIFARE]] DESFire EV1 with 4kb of storage, manufactured by NXP Semiconductors. Because it uses a [[ISO 14443|common communication standard]], the card serial number and manufacturing date can be read by modern smartphones that advertise support for [[near field communication]]. Balance/trip data stored on the card is encrypted and cannot be read by non-PATCO equipment.
⚫
* [http://www.ridepatco.org/schedules/freedom.asp PATCO Freedom Card page]


Ever since [[SEPTA]] introduced the [[SEPTA Key]] card as its preferred mode of fare collection, efforts to integrate these two automated systems have been ongoing. The main technical challenge is that traditional Freedom Cards store balance value on the card itself, while Key cards rely on a centralized account-based system. PATCO has introduced Freedom Share cards that rely on a similar system and can hence be used on all SEPTA transit routes (but not on [[SEPTA Regional Rail]]), in addition to the Speedline itself. There are also plans to integrate the fare payment of the [[NJ Transit]]'s [[River Line (NJ Transit)|River Line]].{{Cn|date=September 2022}}

== Operation ==
Freedom cards are available for $5 at vending machines at PATCO stations, and require a minimum of $20 loaded onto the card at the time of purchase. Freedom Share cards can only be purchased at the service centers at Broadway and Woodcrest stations (after filling out an application form), and can be replenished via all existing methods. PATCO has also set up a website to allow users to do this online. Due to the introduction of these cards, the sale of SEPTA tickets and discounted transfers from vending machines at PATCO stations was ended on September 30, 2018.

When entering a station, cardholders are required to tap their card at the fare gate to gain access to the boarding area. To exit, cardholders are required to tap their card again at their destination. The system immediately calculates the total fare and subtracts it from the balance of the card. If the card has insufficient funds to pay for the fare, the rider will be prompted to visit a vending machine behind the gate to reload value on the card before being allowed to exit. When Freedom Share cards are used on SEPTA transit, the standard $2 fare is deducted.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
⚫
* [http://www.ridepatco.org/schedules/FREEDOM.html PATCO Freedom Card page]
* [http://www.ridepatco.org/schedules/FREEDOM-SHARE.html PATCO Freedom Share Card page]
* [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52588527/asbury-park-press/ Coronavirus delays FREEDOM fare cards] ''Asbury Park Press'' (February 21, 2020) - via Newspapers.com


{{US-rail-stub}}
{{PATCO}}
{{American smartcards}}


[[Category:Contactless smartcards]]
[[Category:Contactless smart cards]]
[[Category:PATCO Speedline]]
[[Category:PATCO Speedline]]
[[Category:Fare collection systems in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 14:06, 16 September 2022

Freedom Card
StandortPhiladelphia and South Jersey
Launched2007
Technologie
ManagerPATCO
CurrencyUS $
Stored-valuePay as you go
Credit expiry10 years (balance transferable)
Auto rechargeAutoload replenishment
Validity
Retailed
  • Service centers
  • Vending machines
Variants
  • Freedom Share Card
  • Transit Benefit Card (T-Card)
Websitepatcofreedomcard.org

The Freedom Card, stylized as FREEDOM Card, is a contactless smartcard fare collection system used by the PATCO Speedline in New Jersey and Philadelphia.[1]

Technologie

[edit]

The chip embedded in the card is a MIFARE DESFire EV1 with 4kb of storage, manufactured by NXP Semiconductors. Because it uses a common communication standard, the card serial number and manufacturing date can be read by modern smartphones that advertise support for near field communication. Balance/trip data stored on the card is encrypted and cannot be read by non-PATCO equipment.

Ever since SEPTA introduced the SEPTA Key card as its preferred mode of fare collection, efforts to integrate these two automated systems have been ongoing. The main technical challenge is that traditional Freedom Cards store balance value on the card itself, while Key cards rely on a centralized account-based system. PATCO has introduced Freedom Share cards that rely on a similar system and can hence be used on all SEPTA transit routes (but not on SEPTA Regional Rail), in addition to the Speedline itself. There are also plans to integrate the fare payment of the NJ Transit's River Line.[citation needed]

Operation

[edit]

Freedom cards are available for $5 at vending machines at PATCO stations, and require a minimum of $20 loaded onto the card at the time of purchase. Freedom Share cards can only be purchased at the service centers at Broadway and Woodcrest stations (after filling out an application form), and can be replenished via all existing methods. PATCO has also set up a website to allow users to do this online. Due to the introduction of these cards, the sale of SEPTA tickets and discounted transfers from vending machines at PATCO stations was ended on September 30, 2018.

When entering a station, cardholders are required to tap their card at the fare gate to gain access to the boarding area. To exit, cardholders are required to tap their card again at their destination. The system immediately calculates the total fare and subtracts it from the balance of the card. If the card has insufficient funds to pay for the fare, the rider will be prompted to visit a vending machine behind the gate to reload value on the card before being allowed to exit. When Freedom Share cards are used on SEPTA transit, the standard $2 fare is deducted.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Laughlin, Jason (May 30, 2018). "New PATCO card will give riders SEPTA freedom". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
[edit]
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