Largest open transit fare system in the US launches in Chicago

Cubic Transportation Systems, MasterCard and Money Network are to partner in a program to launch what is said to be the largest open transit fare payment system (OSFS) in the US. The Ventra card is about to make its debut with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and suburban bus operator Pace, giving customers two new options to pay for train and bus rides. The Ventra card features two accounts - a closed-loop account for transit payments and an optional reloadable prepaid card that can be used for everyday
June 28, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
378 Cubic Transportation Systems, 1756 MasterCard and Money Network are to partner in a program to launch what is said to be the largest open transit fare payment system (OSFS) in the US.

The Ventra card is about to make its debut with the 1000 Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and suburban bus operator Pace, giving customers two new options to pay for train and bus rides.

The Ventra card features two accounts - a closed-loop account for transit payments and an optional reloadable prepaid card that can be used for everyday purchases everywhere Debit MasterCard is accepted.

Chicago residents and tourists will be able to pay for train and bus rides with any MasterCard PayPass or contactless payment card currently in their wallet to tap and pay at rail station turnstiles and on buses.

"MasterCard is the world's fastest payment processing network and First Data is a global leader in payment processing and electronic commerce. They are ideal partners as we develop a world-class open fare system to serve as a model for transit agencies around the globe looking to modernise their fare payment systems," said Richard Wunderle, senior vice president and general manager for Cubic's North America operations. "MasterCard and First Data clearly demonstrated their strong commitment to public transit, and we are proud to have them on board."

"Ventra will improve the passenger experience by creating convenient connections throughout the region with the latest in contactless card technology," said Forrest Claypool, president, CTA.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Washington metro gets Cubic ticketing
    July 29, 2014
    Cubic Transportation Systems has been awarded a contract for more than US$8 million to convert existing paper magnetic fare card vending machines to sales and reload devices for SmarTrip, the contactless smart card for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The project is part of the agency’s plan to eliminate paper ticketing from its fare system to all contactless media by spring 2016. Cubic will upgrade more than 500 machines with hardware kits including smart card readers and re
    Read More
  • Cubic launches Umo platform in Bloomington
    November 18, 2024
    'Umo protects our riders from overpaying in the long run,' says transit agency
    Read More
  • Cubic adds NFC capability to smartphones
    November 4, 2014
    Cubic Transportation Systems is to integrate On Track Innovations’ (oti) Wave near field communication (NFC) device into its NextWave mobile mass transit platform, adding NFC capability to virtually any smartphone or tablet through the audio jack. Launched in September 2013, Cubic’s NextWave platform simplifies the complexities of deploying mobile services by providing a cloud-based solution that integrates closed- and open-loop contactless fare systems, payment processors, mobile networks, NFC platforms
    Read More
  • Chicago Transit Authority upgrades rail communications
    October 18, 2012
    LightRiver Technologies, provider of fully-integrated, multi-technology communications networks, is to upgrade the communication structure of Chicago transit Authority’s (CTA) light rail Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). The upgrade provides the network bandwidth needed to support ITS systems aimed at increasing passenger comfort and satisfaction and improving system reliability and efficiency. The communications network is designed with next-generation packet and optical telecommunications equipment
    Read More

Highlighted Content