3 strategies for upgrading fare collection systems on a tight budget
Transit agencies are no strangers to limited capital funds and operational budgets. However, small agencies often feel the impact of financial pressure more acutely. This makes it harder for small agencies to increase revenue, improve service, and make transit more convenient to attract and retain riders.
The good news is that Genfare’s modern fare solutions don’t require an all-or-nothing investment. With modular technology and scalable platforms, agencies can take practical steps to grow and retain ridership, broaden fare payment options, and gain better data insights affordably. As you explore options with a limited budget, incremental investments can move the needle on growth and customer satisfaction without a full system overhaul.”
Here are three cost-effective upgrades that can be phased in gradually to modernize fare collection and attain your goals:
1) Gradually upgrade fareboxes to Fast Fare®
One of the most impactful steps an agency can take is introducing modern fareboxes like Genfare’s Fast Fare farebox. The Fast Fare accepts and validate multiple payment types — including cash, magnetic cards, smart cards, contactless EMV credit and debit cards, mobile wallets, and mobile tickets.
The Fast Fare operator interface and its cashbox are identical to those used with Odyssey fareboxes, meaning you don’t have to upgrade your entire fleet’s fareboxes at once. You may introduce the Fast Fare gradually to your fleet as your budget allows.
The modular design also lets you choose just the capabilities you need today and add more later as your budget and ridership grow. Fast Fare connects with the back-office platform Genfare Link®, enabling transactions, remote monitoring, software updates, and reporting in real time, even with partial fleet deployment.
Small agencies may also consider deploying Fast Fare fareboxes on new vehicles as they’re purchased, allowing fleet modernization to happen naturally over time.
2) Improve revenue handling with a vault upgrade
Whether updating your vault due to its age, normal wear, or for compatibility with fareboxes, vault upgrades can be performed incrementally at a lower cost than a new vault.
Genfare offers two options for upgrading your existing DualPort Mobile or Stationary vault. For vaults that are in a state of good repair, a kit replacing the pneumatic timer with an electric timer may be purchased and installed by your staff. For older vaults and those showing greater wear, you can purchase and replace the cashbox receiver assembly as a whole; the new cashbox receiver will include the electronic timer.
Genfare can schedule a remote virtual inspection to help you determine which option is most appropriate.
3) Modernize back-office systems module by module
As with fareboxes and vaults, your upgrade path for software may also be incremental. Transit agencies have the option of upgrading to Genfare Link when they begin phasing in Fast Fare fareboxes, or they may continue to use the server-based data system software and upgrade to Genfare Link as a future step.
Software upgrades can deliver outsized value even on a limited budget. If your agency is running server-based Garage Data System (GDS) software, consider upgrading to the latest version or upgrading to our cloud-based Genfare Link fare collection platform.
At its core, Genfare Link is a scalable back office for a single source of truth for cash management, financial reporting, fare configuration, and maintenance monitoring. The platform’s modular structure means you can start with core module, Cash Link, and add functionality as your needs evolve and as funds become available. The full suite of Genfare Link modules includes:
- Mobile Link for mobile ticketing capability using mobile apps for Android and iOS users
- Smart Link delivers support for reloadable and limited use smart cards
- Open Link allows riders to use their contactless EMV credit and debit cards to pay their fares
In addition, Genfare Link is affordable. Like the software, Genfare Link’s new pricing is comprehensive, simplified, and scalable. There are no surprise charges or fees – everything is included, from implementation to upgrades to support. And while the capabilities and performance of Genfare Link have grown significantly, the overall cost compared to the legacy solution has not, resulting in outstanding value for forward-thinking transit agencies.
Genfare Link’s pricing is based on a simple formula scaled to the size of your transit agency: a one-time implementation fee, plus an annual software subscription bundled with an annual support agreement, for the term of the contract. This combination encompasses everything and keeps the cost within reach of even the smallest cash, coin, and magnetic agencies.
Federal funding available through 2026
The 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is the largest federal investment in public transportation in our nation’s history. Up to $108 billion was made available to help public transportation be safer, modernized, and more accessible, as well as lower emissions through 2026.
Genfare is your mobility partner – we’re here to support you every step of the way, including funding. Revisit our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Grant Guide to refresh your memory on what programs are available to help fund and expand Genfare programs for your agency.
Making progress without waiting for big grants
Agencies don’t need to wait for large grants to start improving their systems. By choosing modular hardware like Fast Fare, enhancing revenue security with DualPort vault upgrades, and consolidating operations on Genfare Link, small agencies can incrementally modernize and deliver a better rider experience now.
Genfare’s suite of solutions is designed to simplify fare collection while empowering agencies of all sizes and budgets to increase ridership, reduce operational burden, and capture more revenue.