They carried sentimental tokens of loved ones: photographs, newspaper clippings, a cherished piece of jewelry.
If one of the test systems is selected for widespread use in metropolitan New York, planners say, commuters could stop worrying about carrying cash or tokens.
Apart from a crooked pinkie on his left hand, he carries few tokens from his former life.
It was introduced to enhance the technology of the public transportation system and eliminate the burden of carrying and collecting tokens or cash.
One factor holding down use is that each rider making a round trip uses at least two stations a day, and only 24 of the system's 469 stations accept MetroCards; that makes it likely that the person must also carry tokens.
I stopped buying the Metrocard when I realized I had to carry the card and tokens to successfully navigate the subway system.
It was introduced to enhance the technology of the transit system and eliminate the burden of carrying and collecting tokens.
With his garb of black, The Shadow carried other tokens of identity: a brace of big automatics.
None of us will carry credit cards or similar tokens in ten years.