Potential bidders met with Calgary Transit Friday to discuss how a mobile ticketing system could be implemented.
On the city’s website, the request for proposal (RFP) said Calgary Transit’s goal is to improve the range of options users have when it comes to paying on buses and trains.
Manager of service design for Calgary Transit Chris Jordan said convenience, security and reliability top the city’s list of priorities.
Jordan also said Calgary Transit won’t be looking at apps that are not currently in use.
“One of the critical elements of the request for proposal, and it relates to the reliability of the system, is that it be a proven product and that proponents can demonstrate success with other agencies,” he said.
The revival of a potential mobile ticketing app comes two years after the city canceled CONNECT, a card-based system that would have allowed Calgarian’s to do away with exact change or cash for bus fares.
The city spent five years working with automation solution firm Schneider Electric testing the CONNECT system, but technical issues caused the city to finally cancel the contract.
LISTEN: Chris Jordan joins Calgary Today to explain what Calgary Transit is looking for in a mobile app
The next step towards a new mobile fare system is for the city to select a contractor to carry out the project.
Calgary Transit does not have a firm timeline for when the system will be up and running. It’s also unclear how much it will cost.
Comments