Boston universities unveil taxi fare card

Students at two Boston universities are getting around town easily and securely using their campus ID cards, thanks to a new partnership between CBORD, a provider of campus card and integrated security solutions to colleges and universities, and Creative Mobile Technologies (CMT), a supplier of in-taxi media and payment technologies.

Emerson College and Suffolk University students can now pay for taxi rides using campus card funds, thanks to an integration of CBORD's UGryd commerce platform and CMT's cutting-edge taxi cab payment system.

Emerson and Suffolk students already rely on their campus cards for purchases on campus and off. Emerson College uses CBORD's CS Gold campus card system, while Suffolk University uses CBORD's Odyssey PCS system. Both card systems feature a full integration with CBORD's UGryd commerce platform, extending the campus card's power to local area merchants. Now students simply swipe their cards at CMT's in-taxi payment terminals, available in 1,200 of the city's taxis, to pay for rides and tips using campus card funds.

Student services and security were driving factors for both universities when rolling out the solution. Students enjoy the convenience of paying for a variety of goods and services with their campus cards. Cashless payments also improve security by giving students another easy way to pay for safe transportation to and from their destinations.

"Previously, Emerson offered vouchers through our Public Safety Department to help students pay for taxi rides and bill them to their student accounts," said Thomas Doyle, assistant director, business services, Emerson College. "Paying with the campus card is more convenient for everyone involved, and our students have received it enthusiastically. We have been steadily expanding our off-campus program for some time, and this taxi payment integration is a great addition."