After years of delays and hundreds of millions of dollars in budget increases, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will begin to roll out a new fare collection system this summer. Equipment for the new system, which the MBTA calls Automated Fare Collection 2.0, is already in place throughout much of the network. The rectangular screens were installed atop existing subway fare gates and inside of buses and trolleys. Installation of the equipment began last year, but the system was only functional for a small number of testers, including MBTA General Manager Phil Eng. “It will make it easier to access our system. It will eliminate a lot of current challenges that we have,” Eng said Thursday about the new system. “It’s something that I’m really excited that we were able to take a look at how this project was developed and how best to move it forward.”Members of the MBTA Board voted unanimously on Thursday to modify the contract with the technology provider, Cubic Transportation Systems. The agreement calls for a rollout of contactless payments via credit card or mobile wallets on bus and subway lines this summer. A new Charlie Card and group sales program would follow in the spring of 2025 and the system would expand to Commuter Rail trains and ferries in the spring of 2026. Originally, the Automated Fare Collection 2.0 system was slated to cost $753 million and was expected to be deployed in 2020. It was sold as a much-needed way to modernize the existing fare system.Over the years, the price tag ballooned, peaking at $967 million. Last year, the MBTA announced the program was “unlikely” to meet the goal of full implementation in 2024 but did not establish a new timeline. During Thursday’s board meeting, however, the MBTA proposed a contract amendment that reduced the total contract value to $926 million and set a new implementation schedule. Another $11 million incentive is being offered to Cubic if the company can complete the systems in the spring of 2026.To date, the MBTA has paid Cubic $23 million. “Our No. 1 goal has been to create a new, state-of-the-art system that would help transform public transportation in the Greater Boston area, to enhance rider experience and increase overall ridership,” said Peter Torrellas, president of Cubic Transportation Systems.Torrellas offered the MBTA Board assurances that his company would “devote all available resources” to the rollout of the new system. Video below: 5 Investigates raises questions about AFC 2.0 contractUltimately, the goal of the lengthy and expensive project is to make it possible for riders to have more ways to pay for all modes of MBTA transportation — by credit card, debit card or by tapping a smartphone.Cubic also installed a similar fare collection program for New York City’s massive subway and bus system for $656 million — far less than the price the MBTA is expecting to pay. Video below: Miles of MBTA track subject to speed restrictions
After years of delays and hundreds of millions of dollars in budget increases, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will begin to roll out a new fare collection system this summer.
Equipment for the new system, which the MBTA calls Automated Fare Collection 2.0, is already in place throughout much of the network. The rectangular screens were installed atop existing subway fare gates and inside of buses and trolleys.
Installation of the equipment began last year, but the system was only functional for a small number of testers, including MBTA General Manager Phil Eng.
“It will make it easier to access our system. It will eliminate a lot of current challenges that we have,” Eng said Thursday about the new system. “It’s something that I’m really excited that we were able to take a look at how this project was developed and how best to move it forward.”
Members of the MBTA Board voted unanimously on Thursday to modify the contract with the technology provider, Cubic Transportation Systems. The agreement calls for a rollout of contactless payments via credit card or mobile wallets on bus and subway lines this summer. A new Charlie Card and group sales program would follow in the spring of 2025 and the system would expand to Commuter Rail trains and ferries in the spring of 2026.
Originally, the Automated Fare Collection 2.0 system was slated to cost $753 million and was expected to be deployed in 2020. It was sold as a much-needed way to modernize the existing fare system.
Over the years, the price tag ballooned, peaking at $967 million.
Last year, the MBTA announced the program was “unlikely” to meet the goal of full implementation in 2024 but did not establish a new timeline.
During Thursday’s board meeting, however, the MBTA proposed a contract amendment that reduced the total contract value to $926 million and set a new implementation schedule. Another $11 million incentive is being offered to Cubic if the company can complete the systems in the spring of 2026.
To date, the MBTA has paid Cubic $23 million.
“Our No. 1 goal has been to create a new, state-of-the-art system that would help transform public transportation in the Greater Boston area, to enhance rider experience and increase overall ridership,” said Peter Torrellas, president of Cubic Transportation Systems.
Torrellas offered the MBTA Board assurances that his company would “devote all available resources” to the rollout of the new system.
Video below: 5 Investigates raises questions about AFC 2.0 contract
Ultimately, the goal of the lengthy and expensive project is to make it possible for riders to have more ways to pay for all modes of MBTA transportation — by credit card, debit card or by tapping a smartphone.
Cubic also installed a similar fare collection program for New York City’s massive subway and bus system for $656 million — far less than the price the MBTA is expecting to pay.
Video below: Miles of MBTA track subject to speed restrictions
