CTA moves open fare collection project forward

The Chicago Transit Authority is preparing the next phase of its move toward an open fare payment system that could introduce the use of contactless credit cards, debit cards and prepaid cards to ride the system.  CTA is issuing a Request for Proposal today on the design, implementation, and operation of an open fare collection system.

"Reducing our expenses
by continuing to leverage emerging technologies allows us to maximize our
limited financial resources," said Chicago Transit Authority President
Richard L. Rodriguez. "The CTA will be able to update our fare equipment
without an upfront capital cost. Our riders would have a more convenient,
streamlined fare payment and reload option and our fare card partner would be
able to expand their presence in the Chicago market by working with other
retailers interested in offering promotions to the millions the CTA serves each
day."

The current fare equipment
was installed in 1997 and is reaching the end of its useful life. The CTA would
own all of the fare equipment installed by the selected vendor and would also
maintain control over fares. 

The next generation of fare
media is expected to be a contactless smart card that would contain a computer
chip and operate as a standard credit or debit card enabling CTA riders to pay
their fares and also use it for other purchases, but without having the card
tied to a bank account. CTA riders would also be able to pay their fares with
contactless credit or debit cards. These payment options would allow a rider to
benefit from using a single card for multiple purposes. The new fare payment
system would retain a cash option for customers.

In the first phase of the
bid process, CTA received initial proposals from 12 private sector teams
interested in partnering with the agency on the design, implementation, and
operation of an open fare payment collection system.