Cubic/IBM joint venture preferred bidder for Vancouver fare collection system

Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc., in a joint venture with IBM, has been selected by TransLink as the preferred bidder for a DBOM (design-build-operate-maintain) smartcard and faregate system for Greater Vancouver’s transportation system, to be in service by 2013. The operations and maintenance services portion of the contract is for 10 years. Cubic expects to execute the contract in February 2011, after final discussions with TransLink. 

During the design-build phase, Cubic will act as the overall systems integrator and will also be responsible for customer and maintenance services as the system enters operation. Cubic has selected IBM’s British Columbia-based call center to supply key customer support services.

Under the project, faregates will be added to SkyTrain’s Expo and Millennium lines and the new Canada Line to bring gated station entry that will increase security and decrease fare evasion. In addition to traditional closed-loop smartcards, account-based and open-payment technology will be added to Sky Train, Canada Line, West Coast Express, Coast Mountain Bus, SeaBus, and HandyDart.

“We are pleased to be working with partners who understand that TransLink’s technology path to the future is one that leverages, first and foremost, proven technology as well as more flexible payment methods using both traditional smartcards and open- or account-based options,” said TransLink CEO Ian Jarvis. “The solution will also position us to take advantage of newer technologies as they become available.”