Tag: technology
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The Real Risk in TransLink’s $507 Million Fare RFP Isn’t the Price Tag
TransLink’s Compass RFP has grown from $220 million to $507 million before a vendor is even picked. A look at what that number actually means, and what Boston’s MBTA AFC 2.0 program can teach about structuring the contract that comes next.
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The Tap-to-Pay Wave Hitting North American Transit in 2026
NJ Transit, ORCA, Apple Pay, and California’s Clipper 2.0 all went live with contactless fare payment this year. Here’s what the wave of 2026 tap-to-pay launches actually reveals about transit payment modernization, NFC technology, and the program management work underneath it.
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Procurement Pitfalls: How to Write a Payment RFP That Doesn’t Set You Back 5 Years
In the world of public transit and government procurement, few things can stall progress faster than a poorly written Request for Proposal (RFP). This is especially true when procuring something as critical—and fast-evolving—as a payment system. With the pace of innovation in fare collection and account-based ticketing (ABT), agencies can’t afford to issue outdated, inflexible,…
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Open-Loop vs. Closed-Loop Transit Systems: A Strategic Guide
As urban populations grow and mobility demands evolve, city planners, transit agencies, and project management offices (PMOs) face a critical decision in modernizing public transportation systems: Should you implement an open-loop or closed-loop fare payment system? This choice is not merely technical but a strategic one that impacts ridership experience, operational efficiency, equity, and long-term…
High Street Consulting 