Smart Cards and Transit “State of the Markets” Executive Panel Ann Flemer Deputy Director, Operations Metropolitan Transportation Commission Smart Card Alliance Fall Conference October 18, 2004

Bay Area’s One Card System for Public Transit

 Every day, 1.5 million transit riders/day  20+ different transit agencies  Focus on improving connections Make Transit More Convenient and Accessible …

Single Fare Card Top Choice of Bay Area Public

On All Bay Area Transit Systems

From Many… to One! Over 250 Ways to Pay Fares Today

How TransLink ® Works  Load card (e.g. cash value, monthly pass)  Computer chip keeps track of card value  Card reader automatically deducts fare  Card knows what discounts should apply, time of day, transfers  Automatic reloading  Balance protection if lost or stolen

Challenge: Meet Transit Agency Expectations  Make it worth the investment  Retain flexibility to set fares  Easy maintenance, faster boarding  Reduce cost of fare collection and fraud  Provide data for planning and marketing

TransLink ® Pilot Program  6-month demonstration — 2002  AC Transit, BART, Muni, Golden Gate, Caltrain, Santa Clara VTA  Evaluate public reaction  Evaluate agency experience

Plans for Regional Deployment  Golden Gate Ferries  AC Transit and Golden Gate mid 2005  BART, Muni and Caltrain fall 2005  Santa Clara and SamTrans in 2006  Remaining systems  TransLink ® replaces existing tickets/passes

Future Markets  Multi-use within transit systems  Transportation uses external to transit systems  Shared-use electronic payments beyond transportation

Multi-use within Transit Systems  Parking access and payment at transit stations  Security access for employees  Paratransit Services –Taxi Cabs –Vans

Transportation Uses External To Transit Systems  Municipal parking garages and meters  Access to transit systems with other modes  Combine employee access and transit card  Combine electronic toll and transit fare collection  Promotional discounts to popular transit destinations

Shared-use Electronic Payments  Transportation and non-transportation payments using the same card  Electronic benefits programs –Student Services –Medical Services –Food Stamps, Other Social Services