Cubic Receives Upgrade Contract for Los Angeles Metro TAP System
Cubic Corporation announced that its Cubic Transportation Systems business division has been awarded a $22 million upgrade contract from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to enhance its automatic fare collection system. The system links 25 regional agencies through a common contactless smart card branded TAP. Operational since 2005, the TAP network now supports more than 1.5 million passholders.
The upgrade program awarded to Cubic will support two new innovative service enhancements planned for a progressive launch over the next 18 months. These include an integrated mobile app and TAPforce, a cloud-based account. With TAPforce, users can load value to the cloud account and use the funds to both load TAP cards and pay for a variety of new Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) programs being developed by Metro, including parking, bike share and other ancillary services, while complementing transit rail and bus fare products residing on the TAP card.
"The mobile app is being designed to support both the TAP card and the TAP wallet enabling users to manage accounts, load their wallet, plan trips and participate in the new partnering programs," said Matt Newsome, vice president and general manager-Western Region, CTS. "In the future, the app will also support the loading of a virtual TAP card into eligible NFC-enabled smart phones that will allow riders to simply tap their phones at turnstiles and on buses for fare payment."
"The new project is part of a multi-year refresh initiative that Metro has pursued to take maximum advantage of our investment in the TAP system and to open the system to state-of-the-art technologies and ever-evolving industry best practice," said Robin O'Hara, executive officer, regional TAP program, LA Metro. "The update program will provide system enhancements supporting these new features including advancements in card technology, real-time wireless on buses, updated bus driver control terminals and associated card reader and software upgrades."
Cubic developed the TAP Card system and has supported Metro with development, maintenance and product support/enhancement services since 2002. Metro staff has independently developed TAPforce and is working in partnership with Cubic and other industry partners in charting the course toward its MaaS vision.
