Transforming transit doesn’t mean making one giant leap. Successful transit agencies know it’s about creating strong, adaptable foundations and growing in measured, strategic steps. When it comes to fare collection, building flexibility into account-based ticketing systems prepares for the future – allowing for simple upgrades and integrations as agency and riders’ needs change, or as new technology emerges.
The modularity advantage
Why should transit agencies choose modular account-based ticketing systems? Because they give them the freedom to respond to customer needs, scale, and evolve.
- Open for opportunity: Systems built on open architectures and APIs can connect with third-party technology partners, making it easier to upgrade components as needed. Transit agencies are freed from the tyranny of vendor lock-in!
- A system that grows with you: Modular systems allow transit agencies to start simply and cost-effectively. They can buy what they need now, and build their solution incrementally, as their resources, priorities and ridership evolve.
- Budget-friendly: Modular account-based ticketing platforms enable transit agencies to invest in technology at their own pace, rather than being subjected to an all-or-nothing spend. When it comes to building their solution, they have a buyer’s choice of vendors whose hardware and software can be integrated.
- Ready for anything: The future can be faced without the fear of costly and complex upgrades and integrations. A modular account-based ticketing solution is ever-ready for change, enabling the trial of new mobility tools and payment methods, without a ground-up rebuild. Changing customer expectations can be met more easily with this agile approach to development.
Modularity in action: A practical roadmap
Here’s what a modular approach looks like for real-world transit agencies.
1. Start with cEMV
Launch contactless EMV payments first (which can be achieved in a matter of weeks – ask us how!). You can quickly provide passengers with a simple, tap-to-ride option using their contactless bank card or smart device.
- Bring riders the convenience and familiarity of tap-to-pay
- Decrease dwell times and speed-up boarding
- Cut the hassle and expense of cash handling
- Reduce the need for ticket desks and kiosks
2. Expand to a multi-token system
Add support for smartcards, QR codes, and mobile credentials to enable broader access, payment choice, and digital concessions and discounts.
- Introduce fare capping, digital passes, and personalized fare products
- Drive inclusiveness and build loyalty by automating ‘best value fares’
- Tap into analytics to understand your riders and optimize services
3. Integrate a MaaS-ready app
Connect an app to your ABT platform to empower riders to plan, book and pay for multimodal journeys in one place.
- Enable seamless account management, travel history, and top-ups
- Unlock the potential to create seamless multimodal, multi operator, multi-agency journeys – within a city, or across an entire state or region
- Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s GoPass® app is a proven example, integrating journey planning and ride-booking all through a single user-friendly interface
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The benefits for your transit agency |
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✅ Waste not, want not: Reuse and recycle what works – integrating legacy hardware with a new, state of the art account-based ticketing back office ✅ Move at your own speed: Innovate and adapt when it makes the most sense for your organization, budget and community. Start small and scale-up. ✅ Mix and match: Build the toolkit that fits your city, skipping what you don’t need and adding more features and functionality when opportunity knocks. ✅ Wrestle control of vendor relationships: No more lock-in, you choose the tech – and take advantage of a more competitive marketplace. ✅ Stay nimble: Respond quickly to new trends, regulatory changes, and market shifts, keeping your system modern and relevant. |
Rigidity is out. Modularity is in. With a modular ABT platform (and we strongly recommend you check out ours!), you control your journey towards ABT and beyond.
