New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) selected Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) to replace the MetroCard with next-generation fare payment system similar to that used on the bus, Tube and rail services operated by Transport for London (TfL). The base contract award is USD 539.5 million with additional options worth USD 33.9 million.
Cubic will be responsible for the design, integration, supply and implementation of the new fare payment system, the associated services for platform hosting, hardware and software maintenance and transition services including supplemental call center support.
Equipment will include fare validators and new configurable ticket vending machines in the MTA’s 472 metro stations and 6,000 buses. The contract includes an option to support LIRR and Metro-North Rail Road with the purchase of additional validation and vending equipment.
Cubic’s partners statewide will provide manufacturing, call center and marketing services to the MTA. Transport for London (TfL) and Mastercard are also Cubic partners in the contract.
The new system allows passengers to create personalized transit accounts to see ride history, check balances, add value as well as report lost or stolen cards to protect their funds. They will also have the option of using payment media such as credit and debit cards and mobile devices at the bus or turnstile, instead of purchasing and adding value to a separate fare card, to offer a retail payment experience to transit.
For those passengers without a bank card or who prefer not to use one, a contactless card option will still be available with the same account management convenience features. Mobile phones can also be used like ticket vending machines to check account balances and recharge fare accounts anywhere.
The initiative will reduce costs for the MTA by significantly reducing the dispensing of fare media, will streamline fare calculation and phase out 20-year-old equipment that is more costly to maintain each year.
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