Article: Chicago Bus Operator PACE Selects Cubic for Open Payment System

[ozbob]

From PR Web click here!

Chicago Bus Operator PACE Selects Cubic for Open Payment System; Deal Expands Largest North America Transit Industry Public Private Partnership

Chicago Bus Operator PACE Selects Cubic for Open Payment System; Deal Expands Largest North America Transit Industry Public Private Partnership
Cubic Transportation Systems has been approved by the Chicago Transit Authority to deliver the agency's Open Standards Fare System (OSFS) to suburban bus operator Pace. The deal increases Cubic's original contract by approximately $50 million to $508.9 million.

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) August 27, 2012

Cubic Transportation Systems has been approved by the Chicago Transit Authority to deliver the agency's Open Standards Fare System (OSFS) to suburban bus operator Pace. The deal expands the largest North America transit industry public private partnership for fare collection systems and services, increasing Cubic's original contract by approximately $50 million to $508.9 million. Cubic Transportation Systems is a business segment of San Diego-based Cubic Corporation (NYSE:CUB) and a leading integrator of payment and information technology and services for intelligent travel solutions.

The OSFS will let CTA and Pace customers pay their transit fares with any contactless bankcard that conforms to industry standards, the same way they can pay for goods and services in the retail world. CTA rail station turnstiles and CTA and Pace buses will have card readers that accept payment with a simple tap of the card. As they become more available in the marketplace, NFC-enabled mobile phones with bankcards residing on them will also be accepted in the system.

For customers without a bankcard, contactless reloadable prepaid cards will be sold at retail stores and vending machines in CTA stations. Pace's participation will add another 500 stores to the retail network where the reloadable cards are sold, bringing the number to 2,500 locations across Chicago and neighboring communities. Pace is one of the largest bus services in North America and covers an area of more than 3,500 square miles.

"We at Pace are excited to be a part of this groundbreaking way to pay that will set the standard for transit agencies going forward," said T.J. Ross, Pace's executive director. "It will simplify fare payment for our customers and simplify fare collection operations for us."

"This is the latest example of the regional transit providers working together to better coordinate services to benefit our customers," said CTA president Forrest Claypool. "This will enhance our riders' experience by making fare payment consistent across buses and metros in Chicago and the suburbs, and enable our customers to use the latest in open contactless card and mobile payment technologies."

Cubic® Transportation Systems, Inc. is part of Cubic Corporation. Cubic Corporation is the parent company of three major business segments: Defense Systems, Mission Support Services and Transportation Systems. Cubic Defense Systems is a leading provider of realistic combat training systems and defense electronics. Mission Support Services is a leading provider of training, operations, maintenance, technical and other support services.

Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc., is a leading integrator of payment and information technology and services for intelligent travel solutions. Cubic delivers integrated solutions that help transport operators manage their operations and services and give passengers choices in the smartest and easiest ways to pay their fares. Cubic specializes in design, development, manufacture, supply, installation, integration, services and information. Services provided by

Cubic include on-site management, central systems, operations support, patron support, business support and field services.

Every year, nearly 10 billion rides are taken worldwide using Cubic payment and information systems. Cubic has delivered over 400 projects in 40 major markets on five continents. Active projects include London; Brisbane (Southeast Queensland) region, Australia; New York/New Jersey region; Washington, D.C /Baltimore/Virginia region; Los Angeles region; San Diego region; San Francisco region; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Chicago; Atlanta region; Miami (South Florida) region; Vancouver and Edmonton, Canada; Sydney (New South Wales), Australia; and Scandinavia.

For more information about Cubic, see the company's Web site at http://www.cubic.com.

[ozbob]

Not overly optimistic that TransLinks' go card system will be upgraded to accept all smart bank cards/smart phones.  Ticketing checking might be interesting ... "show me your smart phone mate"

[Jonno]

Not overly optimistic that TransLinks' go card system will be upgraded to accept all smart bank cards/smart phones.  Ticketing checking might be interesting ... "show me your smart phone mate"

this technology is now standard and should be able to be rolled out immediately.  if it cant then the system is built wrong.

[Golliwog]

Not overly optimistic that TransLinks' go card system will be upgraded to accept all smart bank cards/smart phones.  Ticketing checking might be interesting ... "show me your smart phone mate"

And potentially interesting if the phone app will require the smartphone to be connected to the internet when it's in go card mode like the Commbank Kaching app does. "Sorry sir, but there's no 3G reception here."