System and method for mass transit merchant payment

A computer system for enabling payment of transit system fees using a financial transaction instrument, comprising:

• an interface for permitting entry into a transit system by recognition of information included in an identification number stored on a financial transaction instrument, wherein the identification number is distinct from a primary transaction account number associated with (1) a transaction account and (2) the financial transaction instrument;
• a database for storing a record of the identification number;
• and
• a processor for:
• managing said interface and said database,
• associating the identification number stored on the financial transaction instrument with a transit system fee registered for use of the transit system,
• aggregating a plurality of transit system fees associated with the identification number from use of the financial transaction instrument, and
• requesting payment for the aggregated transit system fees from a transaction account associated with the financial transaction instrument, wherein the requesting includes transmitting the identification number to a transaction instrument issuer for matching with the primary transaction account number associated with the transaction account for processing and settlement.

A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having control logic stored therein for causing a computer to enable payment of transit system fees using a financial transaction instrument, said control logic comprising:

• first computer readable program code means for causing the computer to permit entry into a transit system by recognition of information included in an identification number stored on a financial transaction instrument, wherein the identification number is distinct from a primary transaction account number associated with (1) a transaction account and (2) the financial transaction instrument;
• second computer readable program code means for causing the computer to associate the identification number stored on the financial transaction instrument with a transit system fee registered for use of the transit system;
• third computer readable program code means for causing the computer to aggregate a plurality of transit system fees associated with the identification number from use of the financial transaction instrument;
• and
• fourth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to request payment for the aggregated transit system fees from the transaction account associated with the financial transaction instrument, wherein requesting payment for the aggregated transit system fees includes transmitting the identification number to a transaction instrument issuer for matching with the primary transaction account number associated with the transaction account for processing and settlement.