Skip to main content

Launch of first US smartphone commuter rail ticketing system

Customers in Massachusetts Bay on the US east coast can now purchase and then display rail tickets and passes using the MBTA mTicket app for iPhone and Android. Blackberry devices will also be supported soon. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Masabi US, the transit mobile ticketing provider, jointly announced the launch of the US’ first full smartphone commuter rail ticketing system. The tickets are displayed on the phone’s screen as an encrypted barcode and as a human readable ticket.
November 13, 2012 Read time: 3 mins
Customers in Massachusetts Bay on the US east coast can now purchase and then display rail tickets and passes using the MBTA mTicket app for iPhone and 1812 Android.  4275 Blackberry devices will also be supported soon.

5200 Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Masabi US, the transit mobile ticketing provider, jointly announced the launch of the US’ first full smartphone commuter rail ticketing system.  The tickets are displayed on the phone’s screen as an encrypted barcode and as a human readable ticket. The app can be found by searching for ‘MBTA mTicket’ in the 493 Apple App Store and 1691 Google Play.

“The new MBTA mTicket application is the latest innovation from Massachusetts Department of Transport (MassDOT) and the MBTA,” said MassDOT secretary and CEO, Richard A Davey. “Customers will now have the ability to purchase tickets without waiting in lines meaning they get more time back in their day and more control over their commute.”

“With this new application, commuter rail users don’t have to wait in line to purchase tickets nor pay a surcharge for buying tickets aboard trains. Customers may purchase a ticket in seconds - anywhere, anytime,” said Acting MBTA General Manager, Jonathan Davis. “Mobile ticketing offers customers the convenience and simplicity that makes it easier than ever to use public transit.”

The new app will be a relief to many MBTS customers, since less than half of MBTA’s 140 commuter rail stations have fare vending machines, and many customers to pay for tickets on board.  Customers with smartphones can now buy tickets via credit or debit card directly from their phone.

The new solution helps the MBTA reduce costs by eliminating the need for additional vending machines and lowering cash handling costs. To help combat fare evasion, all mobile tickets also have cryptographic validation. Train conductors will be checking tickets to ensure their validity using their own smartphone application, avoiding the need for to them to carry heavy custom scanning equipment.

The new system uses Masabi’s JustRide system, a comprehensive mTicketing solution including: consumer-facing applications, management console, backend servers, payment integration and scanning/validation software for train conductors. All transactions are secured using its award-winning encryptME security system that has been validated to US government standards.

“By placing a personalised ticket machine in the pocket of commuters, they can now buy tickets wherever they are, faster than ever before,” said Kevin Mansfield, Masabi’s JustRide Product Manager. “MBTA will also see significant benefits in terms of reducing costly cash handling charges and the cost of additional ticket machines. We are delighted to have launched our first JustRide end-to-end mTicketing system.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Hurdles to MaaS adoption highlighted
    January 25, 2018
    Jack Opiola talks to some MaaS advocates in the US. Cities will accommodate almost 60% of the world’s population by 2025 and technology is outpacing transportation plans and planners - putting extreme pressures upon planners and transportation systems alike. Big data, digital payments, ubiquitous communications, smartphone applications, on-demand travel and autonomous vehicles are all shredding existing transport plans. Never before has the pace of population growth and the tools to address this problem
  • Integrating ferry transport into smart ticketing
    March 1, 2013
    Transport authorities are increasingly looking to integrate ferry travel into the mix of public transport. David Crawford finds out more. The new A$370m (US$398m) Opal public transport smartcard system being installed by the Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS)-led Pearl consortium in Sydney is geographically the largest in the world to date. The consortium includes the Commonwealth Bank of Australia; Australian retail payment system provider ePay; Australian infrastructure engineering company Downer Group; a
  • Masabi expands MaaS rollout in Japan
    September 13, 2021
    Tickets are available in the Japan Transit Planner and Norikae Annai apps
  • Incentive schemes target single occupancy commuters
    October 14, 2016
    Andrew Bardin Williams looks at state-run schemes to encourage green transportation habits with raffles, gift cards, competitions and frequent traveller points. The societal benefits of green transportation are obvious: less congestion, cleaner air and healthy economy. Equally the advantages for individuals are pretty clear too: a healthy lifestyle, freedom of movement and the feeling of being a part of something greater than oneself.