authorization to issue a request for proposals for a mobile ticketing ...

AGENDA ITEM 8-BCONSENT AGENDA ITEMTO:FROM:CHAIRMAN COVINGTON AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARDRICH DALTONDATE: AUGUST 17, 2012RE:AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FORA MOBILE TICKETING SYSTEMRECOMMENDATION:The VRE Operations Board is being asked to authorize the Chief ExecutiveOfficer to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a Mobile Ticketing System.BACKGROUND:The current Automated Fare Collection (AFC) System has been in revenueservice since October 2002. Since that time, technology has changed andimproved, offering new opportunities to address VRE’s fare collection andregional interoperability needs. Mobile ticketing is being tested and implementedat several transit agencies across the nation and is giving those agencies anopportunity to provide convenience to their passengers through new technologywith lower up-front capital expenditures. VRE staff is participating in a MobileTicketing Working Group consisting of representatives from all major agenciesnationwide, including MBTA, SEPTA, DART, Tri-Met, and Chicago’s CTA andMetra. This working group shares best practices and pilot test results so that ourentire industry may benefit from the early efforts in the area of mobile ticketing.Working with LTK Engineering Services via a GEC task order, VRE issued aRequest for Information (RFI) in March 2012 to Mobile Ticketing providers togather information on mobile ticketing technology options for transit users.Seventeen responses were received from providers from all around the world.Those submissions were narrowed down to six companies who then made

formal presentations of their software products and proposed mobile ticketingsolutions to VRE, Keolis, and LTK staff. The information provided through theRFI process was then used to define VRE mobile ticketing system requirementsand capabilities and develop the scope of services for this RFP.VRE staff is also participating in WMATA’s Regional Operators Advisory Team(ROAT) as they go through their procurement process for the New ElectronicPayments Program (NEPP). Working with WMATA to ensure interoperabilitywith NEPP and access to SmartBenefits ® data is critical to the ultimate successof any future AFC system for VRE. Mobile Ticketing promises to be the firstpotential link of the VRE system to WMATA’s NEPP.The scope of services for this RFP includes the design, installation,implementation, and management of a turn-key Mobile Ticketing system thatmeets the VRE requirements and functionality demands developed during theRFI process. Upon receipt and review of proposals, VRE staff will return to theOperations Board and recommend a specific firm for award.FISCAL IMPACT:Funding for the project is included in VRE’s Capital Improvement Program aspart of the Fare Collection III and SmarTrip ® Integration project. Funding isavailable from federal grants VA-90-X269 and VA-90-X232. There is no localmatch.

TO: CHAIRMAN COVINGTON AND THE VRE OPERATIONS BOARDFROM: RICH DALTONDATE: AUGUST 17, 2012RE: AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALSFOR A MOBILE TICKETING SYSTEMRESOLUTION8B-08-2012OF THEVIRGINIA RAILWAY EXPRESSOPERATIONS BOARDWHEREAS, the existing Automated Fare Collection (AFC) system has been inplace for almost ten years; and,WHEREAS, VRE continues to seek ways to improve fare collection operationsand customer convenience and expand the opportunities to address regionalinteroperability with the SmartBenefits ® program; and,WHEREAS, fare collection technology has continued to evolve since the VREAFC was designed; and,WHEREAS, VRE issued an RFI in March 2012 to gather information on mobileticketing technology options for transit users; and,WHEREAS, the next step is to design, install, implement, and manage a MobileTicketing system that meets the VRE requirements and functionality demandsdeveloped during the RFI process.NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the VRE Operations Boardauthorizes the Chief Executive Officer to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) fora Mobile Ticketing System.