Abstract: An apparatus is described for issuing cards having recorded thereon a predetermined monetary value, which cards can be used by a customer to purchase tickets which are usable in automatic ticket gates of a commutation system. The apparatus receives, retains and invalidates a card presented by the customer and dispenses, from a supply of blank cards, a new card on which is recorded a monetary value equal to that of the card which has been presented plus that of any cash that has been presented to the apparatus. This monetary value may be magnetically recorded and may also be visually displayed by means of humanreadable symbols imprinted on the card.

Abstract: An automatic ticket vending system in which a stored value card previously issued to a customer is used to purchase a ticket which can be used in the existing conventional automatic ticket gate in which the tickets purchased from an ordinary coin-actuated ticket vending machine are used. When the card is used to purchase a ticket, the fare of the ticket purchased is subtracted from the monetary value of the card.