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Smartcards and faregates project moves one step forward

Smartcards and faregates project moves one step forward

Smartcards will eventually replace all forms of tickets and passes on our system.
Smartcards will eventually replace all forms of tickets and passes on our system.

Here’s an update on the smartcards and faregates project announced in April.

Our board has given approval to get the procurement process for the project underway. We’ll be issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the project this month, followed by a Request for Proposals (RFP) in the spring of 2010. Work is expected to be underway in 2010, with the new system operational in 2013.

If you don’t know, smartcards are a type of fare payment used in many transit systems worldwide. You typically get a credit-card-sized card that you can charge money to, then you swipe the card over electronic readers when you enter/exit the transit system. Faregates are planned for our SkyTrain and SeaBus systems to complement the smartcard system.

The whole project is a joint partnership between the Government of Canada, British Columbia and Translink. The Province is investing up to $40 million and the Government of Canada has agreed in principal to commit up to $30 million to a maximum of one-third of eligible costs in this project. TransLink will fund the balance of the project; the project budget is $171 million.

Check out the full press release for more details!

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