For the transit industry, getting prepared for the new $5 bill is a two-fold process:

• It is important for transit system cash-handlers to understand the enhanced design and security features so they recognize the new bills when they come into circulation and know how to verify their authenticity.

• Because most transit systems use automated ticket/farecard vending machines, it is crucial that those machines be updated to accept the new $5 bills.

Employee education: By educating your cash-handlers on the new security features of the redesigned paper money you can protect your system from counterfeit money.

The government has developed educational and training materials to help cash-handlers learn about the redesigned $5 bill, which was issued on March 13, 2008, and the redesigned $10, $20 and $50 bills that are already circulating. Materials are available to order or download free of charge.

• About the Redesigned Currency – discover what’s new on the redesigned bills

• Interactive Bills – take a virtual tour of the new bills

• U.S. Training and Education – download and/or order educational materials about the new bill

Materials can be ordered for display at point-of-sale locations, in employee break rooms or other high-traffic areas. CD-Roms and training videos permit self-guided training or sessions with groups of employees.

Ticket/Farecard Machine Readiness: The Bureau of Engraving and Printing has already provided bill acceptor manufacturers and firmware developers with test versions of the new $5 bill to help them to better prepare for system updates. Transit industry users of automated cash machine technology should proactively work with their partners to prepare for changes in currency design.