Deon said the new brand-name smart card will be a godsend to SEPTA's riders, including those who don't use banks. "Why should they pay $900 a year in fees at check-chasing trailers?" he said, when they can directly deposit their checks into the new smart cards and pay all their bills without exorbitant fees.
I interpret that as instead of requiring a debit card, their card will be a debit card. And they'll take checks, essentially creating a bank/debit card account for people who don't have one.