Hong Kong Tramways Launches Open-Loop Payments, with Busy Metro System to Come
Hong Kong Tramways recently became the latest–and still one of the few–transit operators in Hong Kong to support open-loop payments. But more are coming.
Most notably, that will include Hong Kong’s metro, operated by the Mass Transit Railway, or MTR. The metro is rolling out contactless payments acceptance at gates across the 10-line metro.
Canada’s Largest Transit Agency Launches Open-Loop Payments Today
Canada’s largest public transit agency, the Toronto Transit Commission, or TTC, launched open-loop payments today on its buses, streetcars (trams) and four-line metro, after years of delays.
California Open-Loop Procurement Program Didn’t Add New Transit Agencies During Q2, as Orange County Balks
The Orange County Transportation Authority, or OCTA, in Southern California, would seem to be exactly the type of transit agency that the state’s open-loop procurement program, Cal-ITP, is targeting.
Lisbon Metro’s Open-Loop Project Gets Help from Visa, with Contribution from Payments Scheme
Lisbon is latest European capital to launch open-loop payments, with the Lisbon Metro introducing the service recently.
New York’s MTA Celebrates Billionth OMNY Transaction as It Seeks to Put Project Back on Track
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority last week marked the billionth OMNY transaction, with MTA chairman and CEO Janno Lieber speaking at a press conference at the subway station where the landmark tap occurred. He touted the OMNY contactless open-loop payments program as an “amazing success.”
Thales and Cubic Must Work Together on Major Piece of National Open-Loop Project in New Zealand; Will It Cause Delays?
Auckland Transport, New Zealand’s largest transit authority, plans to roll out open-loop payments for all of its buses, trains and ferries next year using validators and other technology supplied by its incumbent vendor, Thales.
Can Transit Agencies Save Money with Open-Loop Payments?
Transit agencies often offer open-loop payments mainly for convenience–that is, to enable their customers to tap to pay for fares with their credit and debit cards and NFC wallets without having to buy a ticket or top-up a closed loop card.
U.S. Transit Agency Swaps Out Validators after Supplier Misses Bid Deadline by Three Hours
The first transit agency to pilot open-loop payments under an unconventional procurement program backed by the U.S. state of California is set to make the payments service permanent starting this month.
Debate Panel Split on Whether Transit Agencies Should Support Concessions with Open Loop
Transit agencies rolling out open-loop payments have an important question or two to answer: Should they include concessionary discounts with their open-loop service, and, if so, how?
‘Frankly Outrageous’: Open-Loop Pioneer Says Interchange Fees for Transit Agencies Too High, Especially in U.S.
Shashi Verma, chief technology officer for Transport for London and the driving force behind the agency’s landmark open-loop payments service, called for greater regulation of interchange rates outside of the UK and European Union to reduce fees agencies pay.