It’s as simple as tap and pay. Contactless fare collection from U.S. Bank offers an open-loop, contactless payment solution that allows transit riders to pay via tap-to-pay and digital wallets, removing ticket purchases or loading funds onto fare cards.
Photo: Elavon
4 min to read
What are the latest offerings in fare payment? Check out the latest from Cubic/Umo, Elavon, Genfare, INIT, Kuba, Masabi, and VIX Technology.
Cubic Transportation Systems
The Umo Handheld Reader by Cubic Transportation Systems is an advancement in electronic fare collection.
Photo: Cubic/Umo
The Umo Handheld Reader by Cubic Transportation Systems is an advancement in electronic fare collection. The innovative device seamlessly pairs Cubic's software with Samsung's off-the-shelf technology, revolutionizing transit payments on buses, trains, and more. Designed to enhance rider experiences, it offers convenient tap-to-pay functionality right at your fingertips. With its affordability and ease of use, transit agencies can effortlessly expand services without costly hardware installations. From paratransit to on-demand transport, the Umo Handheld Reader adapts swiftly, ensuring a smooth journey for all.
It’s as simple as tap and pay. Contactless fare collection from U.S. Bank offers an open-loop, contactless payment solution that allows transit riders to pay via tap-to-pay and digital wallets, removing ticket purchases or loading funds onto fare cards. With mass transit contactless payments, you can:
Improve rider experience by making it faster, easier, and more convenient to pay.
Increase revenue on fare collection expenses.
Speed up service during peak periods by collecting fares more quickly.
Reduce idling time and carbon emissions due to faster boarding times.
Create a safer environment by reducing touchpoints and face-to-face interactions.
Genfare collaborates with more than 450 transit agencies to design fare collection solutions that simplify the rider experience, empower equitable mobility through innovation that leaves no rider behind, and connect communities based on their needs for a smoother journey.
Photo: Genfare
For more than 40 years, Genfare has been the premier supplier of American-made fareboxes, and today we’re driving the industry forward with innovative and equitable mobility solutions that let the rider pay with whatever is in their pocket. We collaborate with more than 450 transit agencies to design fare collection solutions that simplify the rider experience, empower equitable mobility through innovation that leaves no rider behind, and connect communities based on their needs for a smoother journey.
For agencies, TaaS offers fast, cloud-based fare management and real-time insights into sales and passenger behavior, promoting operational efficiency and profitability.
Photo: INIT
Ticketing-as-a-Service (TaaS) is redefining efficiency, security, and accessibility in public transit. For agencies, TaaS offers fast, cloud-based fare management and real-time insights into sales and passenger behavior, promoting operational efficiency and profitability. Its compatibility with existing systems and support for multi-channel strategies enhance service flexibility, driving ridership and sustainability. For passengers, TaaS brings convenience and affordability with contactless EMV payment technology and intelligent fare capping, ensuring the lowest fares without the need for physical tickets. This innovation not only streamlines the ticketing process but also makes public transportation more appealing and cost-effective. As a systems integrator, INIT delivers the future of ticketing through TaaS to make public transit more accessible, efficient, and attractive.
In the U.S., Kuba is involved in programs with government and transit agencies that make it easier to buy and implement contactless and mobile fare collection systems.
Photo: Kuba North America
The people and technology behind Kuba have been at the forefront of fare collection for decades. Launching as Kuba in 2019, they are now a leading provider of mobility planning and payment solutions. Fast, simple, and cost-effective to deploy, Kuba’s mobility platform allows agencies to switch on capabilities at a pace that’s right for them. They can start with account-based ticketing and add modules later for open-loop fare collection and Mobility-as-a-Service. In the U.S., Kuba is involved in programs with government and transit agencies that make it easier to buy and implement contactless and mobile fare collection systems.
Masabi is the company delivering Fare Payments-as-a-Service through its open platform Justride, which is integrated into the technology of leading players from across the transit ecosyste and used by more than 200 transit agencies worldwide
Photo: Masabi
Masabi is the company delivering Fare Payments-as-a-Service through its open platform Justride, which is integrated into the technology of leading players from across the transit ecosyste and used by more than 200 transit agencies worldwide. Emphasizing convenience and fairness, Justride employs Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) and Open Payments, ensuring riders never overpay. With fare capping, costs are automatically capped at the daily or monthly pass rate, promoting fare equity. Justride supports diverse payment methods, including mobile ticketing, and integration into popular Mobility-as-a-Service apps, making it accessible to all passengers, even those paying with cash.
Vix Technology is the global leader in intelligent transportation systems, automated fare collection, and transit analytics.
Photo: VIX Technology
Vix Beacon ITS is a cloud-native, modular platform designed to manage and monitor your fleet, support drivers, and keep riders up-to-date on their journey. Implement our Intelligent Transportation Systems technology–like Data Services, CAD/AVL, On-Vehicle Devices, Real-Time Passenger Information, and Transit Analytics–or integrate with your own hardware as required. Vix Technology is the global leader in intelligent transportation systems, automated fare collection, and transit analytics. Vix is passionate about connecting people and communities, combining an open, collaborative mindset with cutting-edge technology to make public transport more accessible and more cost effective for all.
A major goal of the pilot, which begins in April, is to test the speed, functionality, and durability of new handheld devices to scan Ventra and paper tickets.
Traditionally, bus lane enforcement has relied on manual processes carried out by transit police or parking enforcement officers. While it may be effective in certain municipalities, this approach is resource-intensive and very difficult to sustain.
A phased approach to technology, in-house capabilities, and workforce investment is helping transportation leaders break the reactive cycle and build more resilient, revenue-focused operations.
The landmark event empowers riders across six agencies in the Puget Sound region to tap-and-ride transit using a contactless credit or debit card or a mobile wallet.
Now in its latest edition, the awards recognize forward-thinking solutions that improve safety, operational efficiency, sustainability, rider experience, and overall system performance.
Menard discusses how data-driven signal prioritization is improving efficiency, reliability, and ridership, while offering insight into the innovations driving the next generation of smart mobility. Together, they explore how technology and collaboration are paving the way for a more connected, sustainable future in transit.
The pilot program showcases two companies’ technology at eight bus stops. The companies submitted their ideas through the Transit Tech Lab, which is backed by the Partnership Fund for New York City and provides an accelerated pathway for early to growth-stage companies to solve public transportation challenges for the largest transit agencies in North America.
