Skip to main content

CTS applies 'Netflix model' to MaaS

Umo travel solutions include multimodal app and fare collection platform
By Ben Spencer January 29, 2021 Read time: 2 mins
CTS says Umo integrates trams, buses, trains, ferries, ride-share scooters and bikes in one place (© Jorisvo | Dreamstime.com)

Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) has launched Umo, a suite of platforms for riders, transit agencies and mobility service providers to complement transportation technology.

CTS says Umo enables riders to pay fares and plan trips across public and private modes, earn rewards for riding public transit and access real-time information. 

Umo integrates a region's buses, trains, trams, ferries, ride-share scooters and bikes in one place. 

The platform is expected to benefit agencies of all sizes, including small bus operators to larger towns and cities. 

According to CTS, mega-cities will benefit with Umo's suite of platforms complementing their existing fare collection systems with options such as multi-modal journey planning, next generation mobile applications and a Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platform. 

Umo general manager Mike Spiers says: “Our platform is accessible to all types of travellers and provides the tools people need to travel without congestion, without delays and ultimately, without stress.”

“Umo is a single multi-agency platform,” Spiers continues. “All customers connect and consume the service in a subscription-based model, much the same as you connect to services such as Spotify, Netflix or Office 365.”

Umo comprises six travel solutions, which CTS insists become even more productive when combined with other offerings in the Umo platform. 

Riders can access the products through the Umo mobile app or contactless bank or metro card.

The platform includes the Umo app for multimodal trip planning and fare payment and the Umo Pass account-based fare collection solution for transit agencies. 

Umo Pay allows transit agencies to accept contactless scheme cards as payment on buses and at railway gates while the Umo Rewards loyalty programme incentivises riders to engage with public transit by rewarding travel behaviour that is safe and reduces congestion. 

Transit agencies can also use Umo IQ to manage their vehicle fleet and deliver real-time travel information to riders' phones while the Umo MaaS provides connected journey options that are tailored to the preference of the traveller. 

The Umo app and Umo Pass will be available in 15 areas across the US in the coming weeks. Several areas, including Shreveport (Louisiana), Skagit County (Washington) and Victor Valley (California) have gone live this week. 

In spring, contactless readers will be installed on buses and in subway entrances in 16 additional areas, including Raleigh-Durham (North Carolina) and Ventura County (California).

The next product launch will be Umo IQ, integrated within the Umo App across 100 cities around the world and Umo Rewards – which will be made available first to existing Umo Pass and IQ customers. 

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Cubic Launches Ventra mobile app for Chicago public transport systems
    November 26, 2015
    Cubic Transportation Systems, in partnership with customers Chicago Transit Authority, suburban bus operator Pace and commuter rail Metra, has launched the Ventra Mobile App for public transport passengers in Chicago. The one-stop mobile app gives transit passengers who travel on CTA ‘L’ trains or buses, Pace or Metra commuter trains the ability to plan, manage and pay for their journeys for each of the region’s agencies. The companies say this is an industry first for fully integrated regional transit s
  • US pledges £250m aid to transit jobs
    June 23, 2021
    Transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg is allocating funds to projects in 31 US states
  • Cubic and TfL launch mobile ticketing app for Oyster card customers
    September 8, 2017
    Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) and Transport for London (TfL) have launched of the TfL mobile ticketing app for Oyster card users in London, England. The mobile app – Designed by TfL and developed by Cubic, the app allow Oyster card customers to manage travel fares and payments, top up cards and view journey history on the go via Android or Apple iOS devices. A range of travel products, including pay-as-you-go, weekly, monthly or annual travel, can be bought using the app and then added to custome
  • Cubic and TfL launch mobile ticketing app for Oyster card customers
    September 8, 2017
    Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) and Transport for London (TfL) have launched of the TfL mobile ticketing app for Oyster card users in London, England. The mobile app – Designed by TfL and developed by Cubic, the app allow Oyster card customers to manage travel fares and payments, top up cards and view journey history on the go via Android or Apple iOS devices. A range of travel products, including pay-as-you-go, weekly, monthly or annual travel, can be bought using the app and then added to custome