Cubic Transportation Systems is launching an innovation center in the UK with the mission of determining how emerging technologies can solve challenges in public transit. 

The center will initially conduct research on improving transit agencies’ financial sustainability through the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), in a joint effort with academic experts from Imperial College London through Imperial Consultants. 

While the collaboration and research begin immediately, the immersive center will open in September 2025. 

Cubic’s Innovation Center  

The center will build upon Cubic’s legacy of innovation and technical excellence in transit. It will provide public and private sector thought leaders with a seminar space to present the latest research, demonstrate new technology, and discuss emerging strategies for addressing transportation’s most critical challenges, including fare evasion, meeting net zero commitments, and accessibility. 

The center will also feature a customer experience area with a “tube station of the future” — including customizable devices and digital walls for immersive demonstrations. The center will be located within Cubic Transportation Systems’ headquarters in Redhill, Surrey. 

Cubic, along with independent experts from Imperial’s Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics (AIDA) Lab, form a world-class think tank to tackle the issue of revenue protection. 

The team at Imperial, headed by Professor Danilo Mandic, director, AIDA Lab, and professor of Machine Intelligence, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Imperial, brings experience as one of the world’s leaders in applications of AI to solve real-world problems. 

Together, Cubic and the team from Imperial will investigate how these proven approaches can be applied to transit. 

Aim of the Center 

The center will tackle the topic of fare evasion, which is a complex and expensive issue faced by public transit companies across the globe.

Transport for London’s most recent annual estimate of fare evasion (2022-23) equates this to around $161.8 million to $187 million in unpaid journeys. 

The Imperial team will investigate rider behavioral patterns related to fare evasion and how to incentivize payment for using public transit. Cubic will also launch an internship program for students at Imperial to help foster future talent in the industry and drive innovation. 

Over the coming months, Cubic will announce additional academic, nonprofit and industry partners for the center. 

“By developing a center that bridges industries, academic partners and government agencies, our aim is to discover better solutions for our customers and the wider public transit ecosystem, which will contribute to increased ridership and job opportunities,” said Peter Torrellas, sr. VP and president of Cubic Transportation Systems. “Our long-term vision is to replicate this model in key markets around the world, expanding our industry-leading partnerships and ensuring innovation is at the core of everything we do.”