New York MTA brings in CTS for new contactless system
Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) has been selected by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to replace the MetroCard with a contactless payment system derived from the one designed and built in-house by Transport for London (TfL).
The base contract award is $539.5 million with additional options of $33.9 million. Cubic has struck a licencing deal with TfL worth up to £15 million for the right to include its code into the ticketing systems it sells around the world. While this is non-exclusive, TfL agreed not to deal with any rival bidder for the New York contract.
“This is a tremendous win for New Yorkers, paving the way for flexible payment options, a streamlined trip through the region's public transit, and updated equipment that will help save money in operating costs. Together with Cubic, we look forward to building the MTA of tomorrow,” says Joseph J. Lhota, Chairman of the MTA.
“Cubic helped revolutionise fare payment with the MetroCard’s introduction in 1992 and we are honoured to play an important role in the future of mobility in New York,” says Matt Cole, President at Cubic Transportation Systems. “Cubic’s solution not only provides customers with a better and faster way to pay for transit, but also creates expanded economic opportunity for New Yorkers and job creation across the state through the involvement of minority and women-owned enterprises to help implement the new system.”
The new system allows customers to create personalised transit accounts to see ride history, check balances and report lost or stolen cards. They will also have the option of using credit and debit cards and mobile devices at the bus or turnstile, instead of purchasing and adding value to a separate fare card. For those customers 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.
Cubic will be responsible for the design, integration, supply and implementation of the new system; associated services for platform hosting, hardware and software maintenance; and transition services including supplemental call centre support. Equipment will include fare validators and new configurable ticket vending machines in the MTA’s 472 subway 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.
