TIP SHEET: Vix and Kuba Ready to Merge? Also: Czech Vendor Wins in Sweden; Overhaul in Miami; Singapore ABT Update; Masabi Contract Expected
For several industry observers, the naming earlier this month of Kuba CEO Aaron Ross to also lead Vix Technology–replacing former Vix chief David Maitland–looks at lot like the start of an unannounced Vix-Kuba merger.
Vix and Kuba are already sister companies under private equity owner ICM Mobility.
Fee Waiver Helps Virtual Clipper Card Soar in San Francisco, though Growth Comes with Added Costs
San Francisco Bay Area transit operators have seen strong growth in the number of virtual closed-loop Clipper cards issued and the share of active users tapping these cards with Apple Pay and Google Wallet over the past 18 months or so, Mobility Payments has learned.
Many credit the decision by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, or MTC, to waive the $3 sign-up fee
Debacle in Singapore and What It Means for Account-Based Ticketing in the Market
Singapore’s Land Transport Authority for several years was an enthusiastic supporter of account-based ticketing and of its own implementation of the technology–even sometimes referring to its project by the industry abbreviation for the technology, “ABT,” in promotions to the public.
But that enthusiasm changed Jan. 9, after transport officials had announced to customers that they would have to give up their legacy closed-loop cards in favor of new ABT fare cards.
Helsinki Open-Loop Project Beset by Delays, Procurement Problems
Helsinki transit agency HSL says its “goal” is now to launch a pilot of its delayed open-loop payments service during the summer of 2024–followed by service being available on all transport modes by the end of this year, the agency’s program director for the project told Mobility Payments Friday.
But it remains to be seen whether HSL will hit those targets. The pilot is already more than a year late,
Cubic Reveals Organizational Chart of New Leadership Team Tasked with Getting Fare-Systems Vendor Back on Track
Cubic Transportation Systems president Peter Torrellas has recruited an expanded senior leadership team during his first 100 days on the job, including creating at least five new or revamped positions–as CTS seeks to recover its market stature, Mobility Payments has learned.
The organizational chart (see below) shows new positions for chief growth officer, chief digital officer
TIP SHEET: Cubic Hires VP of Innovation; More Virtual Cards for Google Wallet; Cal-ITP Disappoints Again
New Cubic Hire Hails from Firm Providing Info to Local Officials on Best Practices
Cubic Transportation Systems has made another key appointment from outside the organization and beyond the fare industry, hiring the co-founder of an organization that provides information and data on best practices to local government officials.
NTT Data Complaint Letter in Melbourne: ‘Never Observed a Process Like the One Conducted’
NTT Data contends that its ousting as operator of the large fare system in Melbourne, Australia, and the surrounding state of Victoria will “cost Victorians for many years to come.”
That’s according to a letter–notable for its highly critical tone–sent by the Japan-based IT provider to a top Victoria state transport official last June. It followed a decision by the state to choose U.S.-based Conduent to take over the myki transit fare system.
Special Report–France: Strong Growth in Open Loop, but Mainly for Occasional Riders; Paris Still Missing in Action
Nearly 50 cities or regions have adopted open-loop payments in France or are scheduled to launch within the next year (see table on this page), with more in the pipeline.
It may be premature, however, to call France an open-loop hotspot like the UK and some other countries. The vast majority of French transit authorities that support open loop restrict the service to single rides.
Special Report: NEORide Group in U.S. to Rehire Masabi for Fare System; Did Other Vendors have a Chance?
UK-based Masabi has held onto an important ticketing contract in the financially squeezed software-as-a-service market–a project that at least some rivals contended that they had little chance of winning, Mobility Payments has learned.
A selection committee for Ohio-based NEORide, a council of governments body that coordinates mobile ticketing for more than 15 transit agencies across multiple U.S. states, chose Masabi for its procurement.
Cubic Hires New ‘Chief Growth Officer;’ Replaces Head of Business Development
Cubic Transportation Systems has hired a new “chief growth officer,” who will oversee business development, strategy and marketing, as the struggling fare-system supplier seeks to win more new contracts and hold onto its existing business, Mobility Payments has learned.
The move, which is expected to happen Monday, will shift longtime Cubic senior vice president of business development Ian Woodroofe out of this role.