WASHINGTON (AP) - Metro is looking into coming up with a payment system that would let riders skip buying fare cards and instead use their cell phones, credit cards or federal IDs to pay fares on the transit system.

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Officials call the new approach a "contactless" payment system that other transit agencies are pursuing. Metro Chief Financial Officer Carol Dillon Kissal says London is already using it.

Metro's board members gave initial permission to pursue a new payment system in May 2009. Now, seven companies have submitted proposals and Metro plans to seek initial information from potential vendors later this month.

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Information from: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com