For Houston’s Metro, New Fare Collection System

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
Metro’s new fare collection system from INIT will allow riders to manage their accounts via web portal or smartphone app. (Metro)

Metro’s new fare collection system from INIT will allow riders to manage their accounts via web portal or smartphone app. (Metro)

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Metro) has selected INIT Innovations in Transportation, Inc., to supply a new contactless, account-based fare collection system (FCS) for the MetroRail light rail and bus system in Houston, Tex.

The FCS will include approximately 1,900 EMV-capable fare validators on buses and platforms systemwide; fair inspection devices; MOBILEvario, an account-based back-office fare management platform; and customer workstations.

According to INIT, the FCS will allow Metro to configure different fares for various rider groups—reduced fare, student, business or free-fare accounts—as well as daily or monthly fare capping incentives from within the back-office. Riders will be able to manage their accounts via web portal or smartphone app, and purchase and reload value to their accounts with cash, credit or debit using an expanded retail network.

Metro already uses INIT’s Integrated Vehicle Operations Management System (IVOMS) and personnel dispatch software.

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