SEPTA’s board of directors awarded a $129 million contract to aMaryland-based firm to provide equipment for and install its new faresystem on Thursday.SEPTA officials claim the antiquated system of tokens and papertransfers will be replaced by cutting-edge contactless technology suchas debit cards, identification cards and smartphones that customers cancontinue to add value. For customers who prefer using cash, they can buyprepaid SEPTA cards that they can wave by a card reader.ACS Transportation Solutions Inc., a subsidiary of Xerox, offeredthe lowest price of the three companies who submitted bids and also gotthe highest ratings from SEPTA on its technology and experience. Thecompany piloted a similar open payment system on New York City’s MTA in2006 and expanded that pilot to PATCO and NJ Transit last year.“We think we have the best solution in true open payment systems,”said Steve Frazzini, ACS vice president for fare payment solutions.The project will be divided into three phases and take three yearsto complete. It will be rolled out first on buses and trolleys, followedby the Market-Frankford Line and Broad Street Subway, and then theRegional Rail system, officials said.SEPTA cashiers will be redeployed and largely used for customerservice, according to General Manager Joe Casey, who added that the newsystem will lead to cost-saving efficiencies such as ending agreementswith third-party ticket agents.“Under the current scenario we don’t expect the need for that,”Casey said.Questions remain over railRegional Rail customers will either be required to show their cardson board or pass through turnstiles at five Center City stations. Sometransit advocates say that will leave the door open for fare evasion.“Therailroad side ... is completely unprecedented,” said Matthew Mitchell,of the Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers.
