Read the classifieds in this issue to learn about 7 bids & proposals and 7 transit job opportunities!

Green is a member of the Passenger Transport Advisory Board.

The next few years will be challenging ones for the public transit industry. With unemployment levels remaining high, many agencies have seen their ridership and revenue levels flatten out or decline. Rising costs combined with falling levels of funding may lead to service cuts and fare increases. Given the recent election results, it’s hard to say what the industry can expect at the federal level. Transit managers are under pressure to cut costs and stretch the limited capital dollars available.

At GFI Genfare, we’ve seen these developments play out in fare collection as transit agencies ask us to explore new approaches to help them control expenses and more effectively serve their ridership. Here are some trends we expect to gain increasing attention in the coming year.

Upgrades. Rather than purchase new fare collection systems, some transit agencies are choosing to upgrade their existing equipment. GFI is now in the final stages of upgrading almost 2,000 15-year-old CENTSaBILL registering fareboxes for Philadelphia’s Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). We partnered with SEPTA to modernize the farebox electronics and wiring while restoring the equipment to like-new condition. Meanwhile, GFI replaced the back-end data system hardware and upgraded the software.

In addition to cost savings, refurbishment reduces operational disruptions and minimizes the need for retraining operators. The limitation is that, despite some improvement in electronics and data handling, the system remains reliant on older technology. Also, depending on the age and condition of the equipment, the cost advantage of refurbishment over the purchase of new equipment may not be significant enough. Nonetheless, upgrading is an option for cash-strapped agencies hoping to maintain their system in a “state of good repair.”

Comprehensive smart card solutions. Smart cards offer high reliability, low lifetime maintenance and money-handling costs, and fast passenger throughput. Until recently, though, most card systems were in use at larger systems. Since an individual smart card can be used for years, agencies have had to implement extensive infrastructure to track and reload the cards; also, because traditional plastic smart cards are relatively expensive, they are not suitable for short-term use such as transfers.

Now mid-size and smaller public transit agencies are demanding smart card technology better adapted to their needs. For example, GFI is currently providing Tucson with a suite of smart card applications for its Sun Tran bus system, ranging from online card management to retail sales equipment.

In response to these needs, GFI is developing a comprehensive solution to help make smart cards practical for agencies of all sizes. Key elements include:

* Economical online smart card support. Using any computer connected to the Internet, passengers can purchase or upgrade smart cards and, if desired, charge the cost automatically to a credit card. Upgrades are “autoloaded” to the cards the next time they’re presented to an enabled fare device. This convenience builds rider loyalty and extends the transit agencies’ reach to new passenger groups. Although large agencies have offered custom-designed web-based smart card services for years, GFI hopes its standardized solution will put this powerful cost-saving technology within the reach of a much wider range of agencies.

* Limited-use smart cards made of paper rather than plastic, with a life expectancy measured in weeks rather than years; their lower cost makes them well suited to short-term use. Innovative transit agencies are planning to replace transfers with limited use card-based day passes, eliminating transfer-handling costs while providing better value to riders.

* Farebox smart card issuance. GFI expects to make initial shipments of its limited use smart card dispenser in 2011, making it possible to issue these cards automatically at the farebox. Based on GFI’s proven TRiM magnetic stripe ticket reader/issuer machine, the new device will enable agencies to make smart cards their principal non-cash fare medium, leading to significant long-term savings.

* Card distribution. GFI offers several options to enable cost-efficient card distribution to an agency’s customers. Ticket Vending Machines and ticket office sales equipment allow smart card sales and upgrades in a variety of venues.

Open payment systems. A hot topic in fare collection is “open payments,” where riders pay their fares using a smart card-based bank card rather than an agency-issued farecard. While open payment systems are currently under test, widespread implementation remains a future development in the U.S. GFI is preparing for this evolution in fare payment by ensuring that the smart card processors provided with our equipment comply with emerging open payments standards.

CAD/AVL connectivity. Increasingly GFI is being asked by a variety of suppliers to link the farebox to computer-aided dispatch/automatic vehicle location (CAD/AVL) systems. Among other advantages, AVL systems make it possible to “location-stamp” passenger boardings, permitting pinpoint analysis of ridership patterns and optimal deployment of resources.

Many of these developments are evolutionary technical advances, making them cost-effective and timely in today’s economic climate. These relatively inexpensive enhancements are beginning to pay off in better service to passengers and reduced operating costs for transit agencies.

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