The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) has issued a draft request for proposals (RFP) for technology that will enable transit providers to modernize their fare collection systems with contactless payment technology and services.
In a statement accompanying Wednesday’s publication of the draft RFP, CalSTA Secretary David S. Kim writes, “Transit providers being able to easily and affordably acquire contactless payment processing services represents a major breakthrough toward simpler service at a lower cost for riders and operators throughout California — everybody wins.”
“With this equipment and technology,” Kim writes, “California transit systems can transition away from the current ‘closed-loop’ fare collection method that only accepts cash or agency-specific fare cards to an ‘open-loop’ model that accepts contactless credit and debit cards and mobile wallets on smart devices like phones and watches. Paying for transit should be as quick and easy as tapping to pay for a cup of coffee — and today’s action is helping make that a reality.”
The solicitation is being done on CalSTA’s behalf by the Department of General Services, the state’s business management office. The draft RFP is intended to seek input and feedback from transit agencies and vendors.
The solicitation encompasses financial services, hardware and software, electronic learning aids, point-of-sale technology, and service and support. The hardware includes payment acceptance devices (PADs) and “transit processor services.” The master services agreement contract would be for three years, with two optional one-year add-ons.
May 12 is the deadline for submissions. More details about the solicitation are available in the online documents.
