Transit agencies looking to upgrade to Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) often hit the same frustrating question: “Do we need to rip out and replace all our existing hardware just to modernize?”
With the right partner, the answer is no.
Many fare systems are tightly coupled to vendor-locked hardware, making upgrades expensive, disruptive, and needlessly complex. But there’s a better way. With a hardware-agnostic ABT platform, you can move forward without throwing everything out.
What does “hardware agnostic” mean for ABT?
A hardware-agnostic ABT platform is built to integrate with any compatible hardware, regardless of the manufacturer. They enable transit agencies to continue using any of the devices in their hardware estate of fare validators, electronic ticketing machines, and ticket vending kiosks that continue to serve a valuable role within a new or upgraded ABT solution.
This means transit agencies don’t have to rely on a single vendor for all the components of their fare collection systems. Instead, they can mix and match the hardware and ABT back-office that best suit their needs. Avoiding rigid supplier lock-in gives them freedom to create a hybrid of best-in-class technology, while getting a greater return on prior hardware investments.
Looking forward, a hardware-agnostic ABT platform also gives them confidence they are future-ready – their system will be able to evolve over time with minimal cost and hassle.
4 benefits of hardware-agnostic ABT platforms
- Stop the lock!
Agencies can adapt their solutions as new needs or new technologies emerge, without being tied to their original vendor. This flexibility saves them money and hassle. - Hardware can live long and prosper
Upgrading doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. Hardware-agnostic platforms allow agencies to keep what works, phasing in new technology where needed. - Effortless, invisible upgrades
Riders don’t need to know you’re upgrading! Instead of ripping out entire systems, agencies can upgrade components in imperceptible (to the rider) stages. - Greater market competition
With a wider pool of vendors to choose from, transit agencies benefit from a more competitive market environment. That drives down costs and encourages innovation.
Why hardware agnosticism is core to Kuba
At Kuba, hardware-agnosticism is more than just a feature. It’s a core principle that shapes everything we do. From the very beginning, our ABT mobility platform was built for flexibility - built on open architecture, its ABT core is cloud-based, scalable, and open to integration.
Using APIs, it can connect seamlessly with Kuba fare validators and our mobile app to power ABT, contactless open-loop payments, mobile ticketing and MaaS. But it’s equally happy to plug-and-play with third-party hardware and software to deliver similar experiences.
It’s our fundamental belief that transit agencies should have the freedom to choose the right solutions for their networks, without compromise or restriction.
The future of mobility is flexible
Fantastic, elastic, hardware-agnostic ABT platforms that flex and scale are key to the sustainability of public transit and mobility networks.
Giving transit agencies the ability to modernize without being tied to legacy systems, they make upgrades simpler, more affordable, and better aligned with long-term goals.
Ultimately, upgrading technology should be motivated by what’s best for the rider.
They don’t care who made your hardware, but they do care when the wholesale replacement of a ticketing system diverts funds that might otherwise be spent on improved services, with greater reach and reliability. They don’t care who made your hardware, but they do care whether solutions get up and running fast, work from day one, and make getting from A to B simpler.
