July 31, 2013
Enhancements to Provide More Choices Including Smart Cards & Mobile Ticketing
(ALBANY) – The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) Board of Directors approved a resolution at today’s meeting that will offer customers more flexibility, and state of the art fare payment options through an upgrade to the Authority’s fare collection system.
The new system will be provided by SPX Genfare of Elk Grove Village, IL and includes a contract for equipment and services for the New Fare Collection System (NFCS). SPX Genfare has successfully advanced CDTA’s fare collection systems since the early 1990s when Swipers were introduced, and supported a major upgrade to fareboxes in 2003.
The action will update CDTA’s fare collection system with functionality to accommodate contactless smart cards, mobile (smart phone) ticketing, new point of sale terminals, and mobile transaction processors for fixed route and STAR customers.
“These advancements make our services easier to use and more convenient for customers,” said CDTA Chairman David Stackrow. “Our new fare collection system establishes a foundation that we expect will meet the needs of the Authority long into the future.”
Customers will be able to buy fares on their mobile devices and display their payment on screen for validation via a contactless media reader on the bus. For those that choose to use them, it will mean faster boarding times and more flexible payment options for both regular and occasional riders.
The base system is expected to be complete by fall of 2015 with options added on afterward, which will be largely determined by customer feedback. The fare collection system includes a number of innovative features, as well as improvements to CDTA’s business operations. Customer features capable of being incorporated include:
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Contactless smart cards that provide new features and benefits beyond the Swiper card system.
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Web-based portals that give customers the ability to “recharge” cards on-demand or through automatic replenishment (similar to EZ-Pass).
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The ability to purchase fare products on a mobile device along with the ability to use the device as a fare instrument on the bus.
The introduction of innovative services like BusPlus, CDTA’s Bus Rapid Transit line, and the maturation of fare collection technology will allow CDTA to continue providing a portfolio of flexible, innovative, and state of the art fare options for its customers.
The overall contract value is $7,337,400 and will be paid for primarily with grant funds.
CDTA’s Board of Directors meets on the final Wednesday of every month at the Rensselaer Rail Station. Board meetings are open to the public and streamed live at www.cdta.org.
