Originally Posted by
msb0b
Credit card companies are deeply entrenched in American market, and it seems like Visa PayWave/Master PayPass-based systems are in the works for public transportation payment systems.
For example, Chicago Transit Authority replaced their contactless Chicago Card with Ventra Card. Ventra cards may optionally work as a prepaid debit card; they can be used as credit card in stores.
NYC MTA is also in the process of replacing their magnetic MetroCards, and looks like they will go with the same system. The implementer for both systems are the same company: Cubic Transportation.
I'd never heard of Ventra card, but that's interesting to hear because that does seem a little bit like Octopus/Suica/Pasmo if it can be used for both public transport and retail.
List of "smart cards":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_smart_cards
I live in SEA, and I've never even heard of Orca Card. I bet most of these cards aren't even really widespread and most are for trains/buses only.