Abstract: A card reader for an automated banking machine is provided. The card reader includes a processor and a card transport. The card transport moves at least one card a plurality of cycles between a first position and a second position within the card transport. The card transport continuously moves the card in a first direction for a first time period at a first speed, then continuously moves the card in the first direction for a second time period at a second speed which is slower than the first speed. Subsequent to the second time period, the card transport moves the card in the first direction for a third time period, during which the card stops and starts moving more than five times. Both the second and third time periods vary from cycle to cycle responsive to a variable parameter determined by the at least one processor.