Breeze Card

The Breeze Card is a stored value

Overview

The Breeze system uses a Breeze card. The card, made of plastic, is durable and can be purchased for $2. The card can be reloaded on a bus (cash only) or at a Breeze vending machine (BVM). There is also a ticket composed of coated paper around the RFID antenna, which are only available for groups, school students, and during special events.

The fares are authenticated by RFID at the

In May 2007 MARTA began to charge a 50 cent surcharge on all Breeze Tickets. In July 2007 MARTA also stopped offering free Breeze Cards online and order forms from MARTA Ride Stores.[5] Magnetic cards were invalidated permanently and MARTA considered the Breeze system complete.

In July 2007 MARTA indicated that pay per boarding was scheduled to begin. This meant that all customers would have to pay with a Breeze Card, ticket or cash. Transfers were only available on Breeze fare media – no paper transfers or bus to rail magnetic transfers were to be issued. When this happened, to transfer free to MARTA, it was necessary to use a Breeze Card or Breeze Ticket because MARTA was no longer accepting paper transfers or bus to rail transfers.

In July 2017 the original blue Breeze cards were discontinued and replaced with new silver cards that offer "added security to combat fraud and abuse."^[6]

Changes to old token-based system

MARTA's Breeze allows riders to load money on the card for use over time, and to add 7- and 30-day passes that are not fixed to a calendar period.^[7] The system provides a better way for MARTA to analyze transit patterns, allowing for schedule changes to suit demand, and free up more staff to work directly with customers in stations. Breeze also helps prevent fare evasion, which in previous years cost an estimated US$10 million annually.^[8]

The upgrade to Breeze also resulted in a complete replacement of all fare gates and token-based system. The previous system was subject to entrance without payment, as a low turnstile permitted "turnstile jumping" and a handicapped gate could easily be opened by reaching over to push the exit bar. Moreover, there were instances where the turnstile mechanisms would be deteriorated such that some people could forcefully advance the turnstiles with their bodies. The new system offers taller gates and cannot be opened from the outside without first paying.

Potential

The new system allows MARTA to consider using exit fares and distance-based fares. However, MARTA has stated it has no plans to implement any changes to its existing flat one-way fare policy.

Other transit systems have expressed interest in expanding the Breeze infrastructure to take advantage of seamless transfers as provided by reciprocal agreements with

Criticisms

The pilot installation of the system at the Bankhead station created controversy when it was discovered the fare gates ended 15 inches (380 mm) from the ground, allowing fare evaders to crawl underneath the gates. The issue was since corrected with the attachment of plastic bars to the bottom of the gates, reducing the gap to 6 inches (150 mm) and virtually eliminating the possibility of fare evaders crawling through it. Incidents have also been noted in which people trick the sensors to believe that a person is exiting a station while actually entering, but has been alleviated by requiring the use of a card to exit stations.

There have been many problems with BVMs not accepting credit cards and/or debit cards that have lasted for days.^[9]

Technology

The Breeze Card uses the

The first generation of Breeze cards were MIFARE Classic cards and were blue in color. These cards have been phased out due to known security weaknesses and are no longer valid for transportation.

The current generation Breeze cards, which are grey in color are called silver cards, are based on MIFARE DESFire EV1 technology.

See also

• List of smart cards
• MIFARE

References

External links

• Breeze Card website
• MARTA website