Last May, the PVTA installed new Fareboxes that can accept SmartCards (similar to the CharlieCard) and they were going to promote the SmartCards when the fare increases took effect on July 1st, however the fare increases were shot down by the board that oversees the agency. Now no one knows when the SmartCards will be released. I use the bus infrequently (when going downtown to avoid parking nightmares) and I don't carry cash so it would be nice to have cashless payment on the PVTA so I don't have to buy a pass to use the bus.
I wish the PVTA would have adopted the CharlieCards like many other transit authorities in Mass are doing. I have a CharlieCard in my wallet for when I go to Boston.
I'll probably have to go back to using the bus at the end of October as the inspection sticker on my car runs out and I have major problems with the car, particularly with the exhaust and emmissions systems.