MTA wants to phase out MetroCards in 2018

NEW YORK (WABC) -- MTA is looking for a new way for riders to pay for subway and bus rides without using a MetroCard.

It's soliciting proposals for a collection system where commuters would just have to tap a "smart card" or mobile device.

A similar system is already in use for London's buses and the Tube.

The new payment system is slated to debut in mid-2018.

The phase out of MetroCards will happen sometime after that, per an MTA spokesperson.

Gene Russianoff with the Straphangers Campaign said it is a wonderful investment. Russianoff added that with the MTA preparing to spend $419 million through 2019, it has to be done right.

The MTA plans to first test out the technology on its Select Bus Service.