Automated Fare Collection (AFC) Systems

Niti Systems is supporting the Bloomington Public Transportation Corporation (BPTC) with a 24 months contract to support them Systems Assessment, Recommendations, Procurement Support and Implementation Support for their various Fare Collection System.

We are supporting BPTC with the following tasks:

• Create up-to-date technical specifications focusing on the unique needs of BPTC for each project for use in procurement solicitations.

• Offer assistance reviewing and evaluating proposals to ensure selection of products and services will meet the needs of BPTC.

• Extending technical assistance managing project implementation and final product acceptance.

• Support BPTC with transition from the current contractual arrangement with the City of Bloomington to performing all IT services in house, including a detailed transition plan and budget to accomplish this task.

Niti Systems is selected to support the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) with engineering and technical services necessary to perform tasks related to MTA’s Fare Collection and Associated Equipment and Systems for their local bus, Metro rail, light rail, mobility, MARC, and Commuter Bus systems on an as-needed, task order basis. We will support MTA with procurement support services for fare boxes, ticket vending machines, fare gates, fare collection systems or lesser tasks in support of such activities.

We will be supporting MTA with the following services:

• Initial Planning

• Product Research

• Preliminary engineering and specification development

• Final design engineering

• Coordination and correspondence with manufacturers/vendors

• Manufacturing and in-plant equipment inspection

• Systems integration engineering

• Safety and systems assurance

• Configuration management engineering

• Revenue service support

• Coordination with operations planning, and other support consultants or MDOT MTA staff and other regional transit operators

• Product and service improvement projects

• Maintenance engineering support

• Fare collection related technical tasks

• Other procurement and warranty support

• Management of equipment retrofits/modifications

• Project planning, evaluation, review, and control

• Undesignated or specialty sub-consultants may be added to the contract, if required, in support of tasks issued by the MDOT MTA

The NSC team is supporting an effort to upgrade and modernize MARTA’s existing Smartcard based Automated Fare Collection (AFC 2.0) system to a state-of-the-art modern Electronic Fare Payment

System. Our team is helping MARTA implement the new Fare Collection System with a focus on with addition of new functionality and the replacement of aging equipment with the goal(s) of Increasing

cost efficiency, improving reliability, aligning with customers’ modernized payment needs, aligned with market-sensitive customer expectations, providing equitable service and fare policy and expanding integration within the region.

The AFC 2.0 Project is aimed at modernizing MARTA’s ageing closed loop, smartcard based regional Automated Fare Collection (AFC) system with a modern, flexible, open loop and account-based fare

payment system.  The system features smart media processors on faregates, on board surface vehicles, handheld devices, fare vending, point of sale devices, a central data collection and reporting

system, and customer relationship management systems. Our team conducted in-depth assessment of MARTA’s current fare collection system – including hardware, software, fare media, business

processes, data quality, regional setup, clearing and settlement and other components.  Subsequent to the assessment, the team developed comprehensive technical specifications for the replacement system and is supporting the agency with the procurement of the new system.

Between 2005 and 2007 Jignesh Patel helped MARTA with a successful implementation of the first 100% smartcard-based fare collection system in the US. Our consultants supported the agency with Technology Architecture, Systems Integration, PCI Compliance, Back-Office System Configuration, Business Process Definition, Website Development and Vendor Management System.

Our founder Jignesh Patel successfully helped Metro Transit with an assessment of their current state Fare Collection System, providing an alternatives assessment and recommendation for a future system. The assessment focused on the hardware/equipment, asset management strategies, business processes, software solutions, reporting system and fare media alternatives.

Niti Systems founder Jignesh Patel guided JTA through the successful roll-out of their smartcard-based fare collection and Mobile Ticketing implementation (STAR Card). Jignesh helped JTA streamline an existing fare collection system and contract close-out for a smartcard-based Fare Collection system. Jignesh also helped the agency with technical specifications development, procurement support, proposal evaluation, pilot project implementation and project management support for their mobile ticketing system.

Niti Systems founder Jignesh Patel worked with the Atlanta Streetcar to explore the return of the electric streetcar to Peachtree Street and support various Mobile Solutions, including a mobile ticketing solution. Jignesh led a team of consultants that helped the agency with technology specifications development, vendor selection and implementation of the Mobile Ticketing Fare Payment System.

Niti Systems founder Jignesh Patel performed an assessment and technical specifications of the Regional TAP Support Center (RTSC) components for their TAP program including areas such as Call Center Operations, Reduced Fare Program, Employer Program, Third Party Vendor Network, Regional Operations, Clearing & Settlement, System Administration and Reporting Systems.

SEPTA was one of the first major agencies to implement an Account Based and Open Payments based Fare Payment system in the country. Before starting Niti Systems, our founder Jignesh Patel provided systems engineering and technology advisory services to SEPTA for their New Payments Technologies project. As part of this assessment, we provided a future roadmap including a Technology Plan and a Staffing Plan. Jignesh and team also performed an in-depth technology assessment for the existing enterprise systems at SEPTA to provide tailored integration and data migration and integration blueprint with the future Fare Payment system.

Niti Systems founder Jignesh Patel helped the Atlanta Regional Commission with a Breeze farecard system Clearinghouse Audit and introduced Internal Controls. The Breeze Clearinghouse is a revenue settlement system used to determine and settle revenue transactions to and due from the various Atlanta Regional Transit Partners.

Niti Systems founder Jignesh Patel helped the Palm Tran agency with assessment of their current system, recommendations for their future system, regional integration support and a roadmap for future implementation. Palm Tran’s aging Fare Collection system was unable to support the regional integration goals of South Florida transportation providers. Jignesh and team reviewed the current system and the region’s integration goals and provided tailored recommendations for a future system, along with an implementation roadmap.

Niti Systems founder Jignesh Patel supported VIA with Project/Program Management services for Automated Fare Collection (AFC) System implementation projects. Jignesh led team of AFC subject matter experts supported the agency with vendor proposal analysis, contract negotiation, business process analysis and project management services to VIA for fare payment system implementation.

Niti Systems founder Jignesh Patel worked with the MTA to perform an in-depth assessment of their existing Fare Payment System. The assessment focused on the hardware/equipment, business processes, software solution, reporting system, fare media and regional integration. Upon successful delivery of the assessment report, Jignesh supported the agency with assessment of various options for system upgrade and provided recommendations for the future system, along with an implementation roadmap and innovative financing strategies.

NSC members are a part of the team that is supporting the implementation of MBTA’s new Fare Collection system. Our consultants are providing Subject Matter Expertise for back-office system configurations, requirements management, business processes, patron website, employer programs, fare policy, systems integration, payment rules and velocity controls.

Niti Systems team is leading the Project/Program Management effort for an implementation of a state-of-the-art Fare Collection System for Orlando Sunrail. Our team will manage the team of Fare Collection solutions team, subcontractors, and vendors to deliver, implement and manage the Project. We are managing all aspects of the project including staffing, scheduling, and communication procedures for controlling all correspondence, Submittals and other communications between the Vendor and the Department and other Agencies, as well as communications with other third-party entities.