Atlanta chooses INIT for Automated Fare Collection System

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) announced it has contracted Innovations in Transportation, Inc. (INIT), to implement its Automated Fare Collection system, AFC 2.0. 

 

MARTA's collaboration with INIT will impact riders’ commutes in Atlanta through the introduction of a unified, contactless "tap and go" service. Passengers will be able to tap to ride at fare gates in MARTA rail stations and at more than 1 800 fare validators at rail stations, bus rapid transit and light rail station platforms, and onboard non-Rapid vehicles. 

 

Included in the contract are more than 275 ADA-compliant ticket vending machines (TVMs) to service riders with ticket purchases. INIT TVMs not only accept credit/debit cards, smart cards, smartphones, and wearables but also cash transactions dispensing change in both bills and coins. INIT’s back-office software, MOBILEvario, will enable MARTA to offer pricing equity that caters to riders' needs. from employer initiatives, and discounts for seniors and students, to special event pricing. Fare capping is also possible, allowing riders to travel freely after hitting their daily or monthly pass threshold. 

 

Cash-reliant travellers will be able to pay fares using the new onboard fare boxes from Genfare which will be integrated by INIT into the AFC 2.0 system. A retail network of about 240 locations will eliminate the need for riders to travel to a rail station for tickets. 

 

Atlanta has a 76.6km (47.6-mile) metro system, with the first line opening in June 1979. In July 2018 a modern tramway, the Atlanta Streetcar, opened on the city loop (4.3km, 2.7-mile).