This Metrocard Machine Kills Terrorists

The MTA is considering using technology in its Metrocard vending machines that can detect the presence of explosives on potential terrorists when they purchase Metrocards:

Two companies have teamed up to develop a machine that can detect whether the straphanger who just touched the start button or screen has recently handled explosives.

Alerts — including a digital image of the person at the machine and the type of substance detected — can be quickly transmitted to law enforcement officials, company officials said.

The device can be programmed to lock turnstiles at the station — and potentially beyond.

“This explosive-detection system may be implemented as the first line of defense against explosives threats to public transit systems,” said Cubic Corp. vice president Walt Bonneau. “There’s a good chance law enforcement will already be alerted before the guy leaves the machine.”

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is eying the merging of bomb-detecting, MetroCard and communications technology for possible deployment in its vast network.

A pilot project to test its effectiveness in a mass transit system is expected to be launched in Baltimore in the coming weeks.

“We will await the results of the testing,” MTA spokesman Tom Kelly said.

The machines are also able to alert authorities when a rider purchases a one-way ticket.

That’s not actually true.

The Transport Workers Union came out in favor of the idea, saying that anything that highlights the importance of token booth clerks to the general public would be welcomed.

That’s not true, either.