How Open Architecture Ticket Validators Streamline Fare Collection and Enable Efficient Boarding

June 24, 2024 ? Arthur Tay

Public transportation agencies face many challenges in modernizing their fare collection systems and enhancing the passenger experience, like integrating new technologies with existing infrastructure to accommodate various ticket types and ensure smooth operations.

However, open architecture?ticket validators, such as the HID VAL150 for platforms, offer a comprehensive solution that addresses these issues and revolutionizes the fare collection process.

Enabling Efficient Boarding and Improving Passenger Flow

One of the VAL150's most significant advantages is its ability to enable efficient and speedy boarding onto buses, light rail and other mass transit vehicles.?By allowing passengers to pay fares and validate tickets on the platform before the mode of transit arrives, the VAL150 eliminates the need for onboard ticketing processes.??This innovative approach prevents bottlenecks and delays when passengers pay or validate tickets while boarding, resulting in faster and more efficient passenger flow.?

With the?VAL150, transit agencies can significantly reduce dwell times at stops and stations, as passengers can quickly board through multiple doors with no onboard fare collection.?This streamlined process improves the overall passenger experience and helps transit agencies maintain schedules and optimize their operations.?Agencies can enhance service reliability and attract more riders to their public transportation systems by minimizing delays and ensuring smooth boarding.?

Real-World Application: Milwaukee County Transit System

The VAL150 has already proven its effectiveness in real-world scenarios. The?Milwaukee County Transit System?has implemented this platform ticket validator on its CONNECT 1 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations as part of the WisGo fare collection system, powered by?Umo Mobility, part of?Cubic Transportation Systems. This implementation showcases the validator's ability to streamline fare collection and enable efficient boarding, demonstrating its value in a practical setting.

Watch the video below to see the VAL150 in action and learn how Milwaukee County Transit is utilizing this innovative technology.?In the video, the transit agency demonstrates how its customers can use this product to validate fares, making it easier for passengers to adopt their new system.

Image

The Power of Open Architecture

Validators with open architecture enable transit agencies to integrate seamlessly with third-party software and existing fare collection ecosystems.??This compatibility saves integrators time and development efforts, reducing overall costs and ensuring a smooth deployment process.?By leveraging the power of open architecture, agencies can future-proof their ticketing systems and adapt to developing passenger needs and technologies.

Simplifying the Validation Process

The VAL150 simplifies the ticket validation process for both passengers and transit operators.??Combining barcode, NFC and contactless EMV payment reading capabilities into a?single, intuitive interface, the VAL150 eliminates confusion and speeds up boarding times.?Passengers can quickly and easily validate their tickets, whether they use paper tickets, smart cards, credit/debit cards or mobile wallets, resulting in a seamless and efficient experience.

Enhancing Operational Efficiency

Implementing an open architecture validator enables transit agencies to streamline their operations and reduce costs. By facilitating efficient?ticket validation?and enabling passengers to enter through multiple doors, agencies can minimize lines, ensure timely departures and improve overall service delivery. Eliminating onboard cash handling reduces fraud risks and associated costs, further enhancing operational efficiency.

Weatherproof Design for Reliable Performance

Transit agencies require ticketing solutions that can withstand the elements and operate reliably in various outdoor environments. The VAL150 features a robust, weatherproof design that ensures continuous operation in any condition. This durability translates to long-term, hassle-free ownership and reduced maintenance costs for transit agencies.

The Way Forward

The VAL150 open architecture platform ticket validator revolutionizes mass transit by enabling efficient fare collection and streamlining the boarding process. By allowing passengers to pay fares and validate tickets on the platform before the transport arrives, the VAL150 significantly improves passenger flow and reduces dwell times.??Its ability to simplify the validation process, enhance operational efficiency and provide reliable performance in any environment empowers public transportation agencies to overcome challenges and deliver a superior passenger experience.?

Is your transit agency ready to revolutionize fare collection and streamline boarding? Discover how the VAL150 can transform your ticketing operations, just as it has for the Milwaukee County Transit System. For personalized guidance on including the right ticket reading hardware specifications in your RFPs, request a custom needs assessment today.