On an X9 bus headed toward Metro Center last week, riders quickly tapped their SmarTrip cards as they got on board. But at one stop, the line paused as a man slid dollar bills into the cash feeder. The brief slowdown illustrated why Metro planners are considering barring cash on as many as 13 express bus routes, forcing the 12 percent of bus riders who use bills and change to switch to SmarTrip cards. Critics worry that the idea, headed for a November vote by Metro’s board, will make it harder for the poor, homeless and disabled to take express buses — relegating them to a sort of second-class status on the slower local buses that would continue to take cash.
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A deeper understanding of the ethical debate about going cashless
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The cashless society from an ethical point of view
The debate about the move towards a cashless society has been at the center of the scene for several years, now. Various angles have been taken by economists, politicians, banking institutions and sociologists. Beyond the technicalities of the debate, lies the question of freedom, of inter-citizen solidarity and of governmental responsibility. The debate cannot remain in the hands of financial specialists, it is first and foremost an ethical, political and societal issue.

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Top Ten Things To Know
The debate
War on Cash in India but Cash is still King
The detrimental effects of cashless society
Why a Cashless Society can't be really fair
Not ready for cashless: lots of people in danger
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Cashless is harming the most vulnerable
How Italia promoted cashless during the Christmas Holidays
All digital brings bigger frauds
Access to cash is paramount
When cashless hurts charities
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In China, cashless is also harming the elderly
The website "Cashless Economy" (cashless-economy.com) is edited by individuals and civil society groups fully committed to defending privacy and civil liberties against abuse and the risks inherent in a cashless society.