Smart fare machines finally installed on select Edmonton buses
CBC.ca June. 2019
Regional transit prepares to pilot fare card system five years after funding approved
A fully electronic ticketing system should be operational by the end of 2020
In 2017, Edmonton opted to sign a contract with Vix Technology to install the account-based electronic ticketing.
“It’s a very large and complex change, for our customers for our internal processes,”
ETS plans to test the new fare card system as a pilot for post-secondary and high school students in September 2020, before it becomes fully operational.
It costs Edmonton Taxpayers at least $27 million for the smart card system
CBC.ca Feb. 2014
Edmonton is going ahead with smart transit cards despite concerns they may not reduce the number of people who scam the system by using the LRT without payment.
The city has set aside $7 million to help pay for the scanners needed. The city will apply for grant money from the province to help pay the remaining $20 million.
Calgary Transit looking for a mobile ticketing system
Globalnews.ca Sept. 2018
The city spent five years working with automation solution firm Schneider Electric testing the CONNECT system, but technical issues caused the city to finally cancel the contract.
“[Calgary Transit] is seeking a Mobile Ticketing Solution (MTS) that will allow customers the option of self-service for the provisioning of transit fare products through a mobile application,” a statement on the website read.
Urban Mobility is a Mission of Canadian Urban Transit
CUTA Sept 2017
The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) defines Integrated Urban Mobility as The ability for people to move easily from place to place according to their own needs.
By itself, this definition is quite general and open to discussion and interpretation. That is why CUTA supports the definition with the following statement: For CUTA, Integrated Urban Mobility is a people-focused goal that:
- Starts with public transport service-connected to all modes of transport including walking, cycling, auto, and alternatives to transportation;
- Enables door-to-door and seamless mobility throughout an urban area;
- Designed for all segments of the population.
Conclusion
Mobile Payment is the foundation for Urban Mobility. It seems that in the race of the two sister cities of Alberta, Calgary is running fast and in the right direction.
The author has over 19 years of experience in the automated fare collection industry. The latest development of mobile wallets is worth looking into. To learn more, please visit mobileafc.net
