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    1. Technology
    2. Fare Collection

    NJ Transit advances fare modernization program

    April 14, 2022
    The program will create an NJ Transit fare card to provide more customers with faster and improved experience. 
    Related To: New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit)
    NJ Transit
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    New Jersey Transit’s (NJ Transit) fare modernization program received board approval for the next step in the future NJ Transit fare card.  

    In a continuing effort to improve the customer experience, NJ Transit is taking steps to update its fare payment technology and offer additional payment options, including the NJ Transit fare card. This initiative is a goal of the NJ Transit 2030 10-year strategic plan, which seeks to reduce cash and paper-based tickets while providing all customers with quick, easy and convenient ways to pay.  

    “This is the next step in a complete modernization of NJ Transit’s fare collection system where we have already deployed new technology such as handheld mobile devices for train crews, new onboard bus validators and upgraded ticket vending machines,” said New Jersey Department of Transportation Commissioner and NJ Transit Board Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “All of these methods include contactless fare payment options, which have proven especially welcome and popular with customers returning to our system as we emerge from the pandemic.” 

    The Board of Directors approved a contract to secure the required stock of cards which will become the NJ Transit fare cards during a later phase of the modernization. 

    “The NJ Transit fare card technology advancing today will reduce cash and paper-based tickets, provide customers with new ways to pay and leverage a statewide retail network to expand access to transit, particularly for those without access to credit or debit cards,” said NJ Transit president and CEO Kevin S. Corbett. “It also represents just one aspect of our larger fare modernization program, which will enhance the experience for all NJ Transit customers through faster, more convenient fare payment options.” 

    “Rapidly transforming technology in a living system depended on by millions of people is no small feat,” added NJ Transit Chief Information and Digital Officer Lookman Fazal. “Listening to the needs of our customers is an important part of conducting the large-scale technology work needed to make this fare card happen.”  

    The future account-based solution will be utilized across all modes of transit including parking. Additionally, NJ Transit will expand the sale of the NJ Transit fare card through a statewide retail network to provide customers additional access to the new fare card and the ability to load transit fare products and fare value to their accounts through various payment methods including cash.  

    Currently, NJ Transit sells customer tickets from ticket vending machines (TVMs) and ticket office machines (TOMs) that are located throughout New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. It also offers ticket sales through its mobile app. 

    The approximately $2.5 million contract with Giesecke+Devrient of Munich, Germany, for the purchase of MIFARE DESFire Fare Card stock includes labor, equipment, card packaging, shipping and materials necessary to supply fare card stock.  

     NJ TRANSIT has already completed the installation of 558 new TVMs throughout the system which offer faster transaction times and accept contactless payment options and mobile wallet applications. New displays on the TVMs provide customers with important travel information and advisories.