Preliminary Program 08

SUNDAY, MARCH 30

Registration

Transit Cooperative Research Program Information Center

Fare Systems and Programs Committee Meeting

Universal Transit Farecard Standards Task Force Meeting

MONDAY, MARCH 31

Registration

Transit Cooperative Research Program Information Center

Fare Collection 101 – Introduction to Fare Collection

(An additional registration fee of $60 is required for Fare Collection 101)

Are you new to fare collection?  This session is a road map for facilitating a needs assessment, evaluating options, procuring a system, managing a project and ensuring institutional change.   It provides an overview of system planning, the relationship between fare policy and fare collection, reviews the current state of the technology for rail and bus, fare media options, fare collection standards, and also spotlights emerging trends in fare payment. 

It closes with a synopsis of real-life cases of select transit agencies.  Fare Collection 101 is specifically designed for those transit professionals who are either new to the discipline or wish to augment their experience.  

(See also Fare Collection 102 Tuesday at 7:30 a.m.)

Training: Maintenance of Bill Handling Systems

There will be two rotations of this training session on the operation of Mars bill handing equipment and support tool software. 

Tours – Round One

(All but the Federal Reserve Bank Tour will be repeated Wednesday afternoon.)

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Join this tour for a demonstration of the currency processing system utilized by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.  Participation is limited to the first 15 respondents who register via email to kgallagher@apta.com.  Advance security screening is required.  This tour will not be repeated Wednesday.

Southampton Bus Facility

Visitors to the Southampton facility will see the MBTA's new AFC vaulting/probing process in action.  Southampton is the MBTA’s newest bus facility, providing maintenance on all Silver Line vehicles and CNG fueling.  Sign up for this tour on site at the workshop registration desk.

MBTA Automated Fare Collection Programs Center

A state-of-the-art CCTV monitoring system, complete on-line test bed, and other important processes are the heartbeat of the MBTA’s AFC system. Sign up for this tour on site at the workshop registration desk.

MBTA Operations Control Center

The heart and soul of the MBTA’s operation is this state-of-the-art facility. Sign up for this tour on site at the workshop registration desk to see in action the day-to-day requirements for keeping this important transit system on course.  Limited to 10 people.  

MBTA Money Counting Facility

Guests in the MBTA’s “money room” will view high-speed currency counting in a recently modernized facility.  Due to the secure nature of the facility, only authorized areas will be open for visitors.  Strict guidelines regarding building access must be observed. Sign up for this tour on site at the workshop registration desk.

12:15 – 12:30 p.m.

Break

Opening General Session: Welcome to Boston

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s general manager Daniel A. Grabauskas opens the workshop with a welcome to historic Boston, Massachusetts, home of the CharlieCard.

General Session: People, Politics & Policy: Regional Business Models

Do you want to know how smart card-based automatic fare collection systems have been deployed at multi-modal systems? Presenters from London, Toronto, Atlanta, and Boston will discuss the major participants in their smart card schemes; how their agencies made the transition; some of the major business and technical issues they faced; the deployment of new technology; and timelines and milestones.  Finally, they will look into the crystal ball and foretell what the future holds for their projects.

It’s Not Your Father’s Farecard

Fare collection has come a long way since the once-ubiquitous token. This session will introduce newly deployed and emerging fare media technologies, including: key fobs, wristbands, smart watches, cell phones and near field technology, as well as the standardization efforts underway to ensure minimum operating thresholds.

New AFC Technology: How is it Influencing Procurements?

Advances in technology have changed the procurement options for fare payment systems.  From buying or replacing an existing system to the back office support requirements, agencies are faced with new challenges and requirements.  This interactive session will provide perspectives from the agencies’ and vendors’ procurement concerns, considerations and challenges.  There will be a small panel to get the discussion started, but be prepared to discuss your agency’s challenges with all of the participants in this open forum.

Welcome Reception

TUESDAY, APRIL

7 – 8 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

7:30 – 9 a.m.

Fraud: Does New Technology Help Deter or Support It?

Fraud of some sort exists in nearly all AFC systems. Has new technology helped stem the losses from this problem or made the issue worse?  You decide after listening to industry experts talk about this hot topic.

Fare Collection 102 – Business Process Reengineering

Complementing Fare Collection 101 (Monday morning), the theme of Fare Collection 102 is business process re-engineering.  The session will cover goal-setting for improving efficiencies and service; identifying appropriate technologies, establishing cross-functional project teams, evaluating processes, and developing the processes and structure to ensure a smooth transition.

 (There is no additional fee to register for FC 102, but you should register in advance.  Only a limited number of seats will be available for on-site registration.)

Fare Media Standards

Contactless fare system standards have been issued to help agencies procure cost-effective and inter-operable fare collection systems for bus, rail and other transit modes.  As these standards are implemented and as technologies such as near field communications (NFC) and cell phone applications emerge, evolution and expansion of standards is expected.  Learn about the state-of-the-art in fare standards, application of standards and how emerging technologies and standards development are advancing together.

Applying New Technologies in a Non-Regional Setting

It seems that new technology is destined for large regional projects, yet most agencies will never be part of a regional system. Find out how these equipment and software advances can benefit a single agency.

Product Showcase and Lunch

See demonstrations of the latest systems and equipment that manufacturers and suppliers have to offer.  The product showcase is an opportunity for APTA business members to show their wares and for you to stay on top of the latest products and technologies.  Expect to see everything from tickets to ticket vending machines.  Get a good sense of what products can work for you.

(To exhibit please contact Heather Rachels at hrachels@apta.com.)

Use of Bankcards in Transit

This session will address bankcard arrangements in both open and closed systems, including online vs. off-line authentication, technology issues, fare structure flexibility, and the transaction fee structure.  Presentations will include a discussion of current programs, pilots, and planned expansion programs that are using innovative bankcard payment schemes. 

In-house, Outsourced or Hybrid Revenue Collection Processing: Advantages and Disadvantages

Is traditional fare collection a wave of the past?  Can every agency save money by outsourcing revenue collection?  Panelists in this session will discuss the myriad issues to be considered in determining the appropriate method of revenue collection processing.  Topics will include the relative advantages and disadvantages of in-house and outsourced processing, the costs involved, procurement issues, funding and financing, and lessons learned. 

Evening Networking Event

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2

Everything Can and Will Change

What single project will impact every department within an agency?  Fare collection.  Come participate in a round-table discussion and share your experiences with change.  Even novices will leave with insights from the many valuable lessons of industry peers.

Emerging Sale & Distribution Methods: How the Web and Other Technologies Facilitate Fare Media Distribution

This session will highlight some techniques being used by agencies to improve customer service in the distribution and reloading of farecards.  General account-based and employer account-based options, as well as the use of electronic payment in proof-of-payment and conductor systems, will be discussed.

General Session: Project Update Roundtables and Conference Closing

Workshop attendees will have an opportunity to hear brief reports on the projects of interest to them, choosing from  several presentations.  The round-table format promotes discussion among participants and the presenters.  Presentations will include updates on regional smart card projects, new credit card transaction procedures, procurement of new systems, electronic onboard fare transactions, integration, fare restructuring, and more.  You will have the opportunity to rotate through at least four separate presentations during this session.

Tours – Round Two

Southampton Bus Facility

Visitors to the Southampton facility will see the MBTA's new AFC vaulting/probing process in action.  Southampton is the MBTA’s newest bus facility, providing maintenance on all Silver Line vehicles and CNG fueling. Sign up for this tour on site at the workshop registration desk.

MBTA Automated Fare Collection Program Center

A state-of-the-art CCTV monitoring system, complete on-line test bed, and other important processes are the heartbeat of the MBTA’s AFC system. Sign up for this tour on site at the workshop registration desk.

MBTA Operations Control Center

The heart and soul of the MBTA’s operation is this state-of-the-art facility. Sign up for this tour on site at the workshop registration desk to see in action the day-to-day requirements for keeping this important transit system on course.  Limited to 10 people. 

MBTA Money Counting Facility

Guests in the MBTA’s “money room” will view high-speed currency counting in a recently modernized facility.  Due to the secure nature of the facility, only authorized areas will be open for visitors.  Strict guidelines regarding building access must be observed. Sign up for this tour on site at the workshop registration desk.