Skip to main content

Cubic to enhance MTA fare collection system

Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) is to carry out a major upgrade to the Maryland Transit Authority’s (MTA) automatic fare collection (AFC) system, under a US$4.8 million contract modification which also includes setting the foundation for new features and functionality. The upgraded system will provide the MTA with the opportunity to accept new payment methods, such as mobile payments, as well as add new features, including a new customer web portal and an integration path with third-party transport servi
November 22, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
378 Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) is to carry out a major upgrade to the Maryland Transit Authority’s (MTA) automatic fare collection (AFC) system, under a US$4.8 million contract modification which also includes setting the foundation for new features and functionality. The upgraded system will provide the MTA with the opportunity to accept new payment methods, such as mobile payments, as well as add new features, including a new customer web portal and an integration path with third-party transport services in the future.

Under the contract modification, CTS will upgrade AFC from its NextFareTM 4.0 revenue management system, to NextFare 7, a cost-effective solution giving the MTA the freedom to innovate, without having to overhaul the entire AFC system. The cloud-based platform will replace all the key functionality currently provided by the existing scheme and offer a number of advanced features, such as payment card industry (PCI) compliant payment application for processing credit and debit transactions; support of enhanced fare policy; and enhanced reporting and analytics, as well as allow the MTA to monitor the conditions of fare collection equipment, so that repairs can be made quickly and efficiently, little impact on customer service.

The platform can also be enhanced in the future to enable the MTA to integrate third-party systems, such as bike-sharing and ride-sharing services, into the transport experience for the public, in alignment with its BaltimoreLink program.

Related Content

  • April 24, 2014
    California’s MTC expands Cubic Clipper card contract
    California’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has awarded Cubic Transportation Systems a US$7.5 million add-on contract to expand the Clipper card fare payment system to more than a dozen suburban transit agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area. The system, which Cubic delivered and operates, will enhance travel options for commuters in parts of the East and North Bay. Under the updated contract, Cubic will install and configure Clipper fare collection equipment on all East Bay and North Bay o
  • October 1, 2013
    Cubic NextWave improves transit agencies’ mobile services
    Cubic Transportation Systems’ NextWave mobile business system is, says the company, a comprehensive platform that enables transit operators to rapidly and securely provide new mobile services to their customers. NextWave provides a cloud-based platform that integrates with both closed and open loop contactless fare systems, payment processors, mobile networks, NFC platforms and both iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, for the introduction of mobile phone-based contactless fare cards, mobile fare pur
  • October 7, 2015
    Dallas Area Rapid Transit opts for Vix Technology open payments system
    Smart ticketing and payment technology provider Vix Technology is to implement a new state-of-the-art comprehensive fare payment system for DART, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, utilising its eO (easy and open) product. The eO system, an account based, open payments and PCI compliant fare collection platform will provide DART customers with the flexibility to pay via NFC-enabled smartphones, third party or agency-issued transit cards or to use EMV contactless cards.
  • January 27, 2025
    Cubic wins $211m deal for Septa's next-gen payment system
    Septa Key 2.0 is expected to be complete in 2029