Mayor Bloomberg Speculates About Using MetroCards On Ferries, Taxis

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It's just an idea right now, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg thinks it would be a great idea if you could use your MetroCard to take a taxi, ride on a ferry or hop on a subway.

Speaking on his weekly radio show on WOR, Bloomberg said the technology currently exists for such a possibility. He said it could even cut costs.

"You know, it's one big thing and in the days of technology, you can use the same card, but the revenues can be split appropriately and the expenses can be lower.  Because every different mode of transportation doesn't have to have their own technology," he said Friday.

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The mayor particularly ruminated on ferries, saying they had become a "real serious part of the mass transit system."

"Why shouldn't you be able to use it on the ferry as well as the subway.  They can work out a deal...[on] how they split the revenue.  The computer knows where you use it and it would be great to do those kinds of things or free transfers or who knows?" Bloomberg said.

Noting that taxis will now be more available in the five boroughs following the approval of a recent measure to allow livery cabs to pick up street hails, Bloomberg speculated on even more potential MetroCard integration.

"You could argue taxis are a real serious part of the mass transit system, particularly with the new taxis, where you're gonna be able to legally hail a taxi in the other four and a half boroughs, where the yellow cabs really don't go," Bloomberg said.

What do you think of the idea of using your MetroCard on multiple forms of transportation?  Share your thoughts below...