Fare Collection Case Studies

Denver’s MyRide: Transforming Transit with Account-Based Ticketing

Discover how Denver’s RTD implemented Masabi’s Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) system, delivering a seamless, contactless experience that enhances convenience, reduces dwell times, and improves rider satisfaction across the region.

Pittsburgh’s Mobile Ticketing Solution

Check out PRT’s Mobile Ticketing solution from Masabi across light-rail, buses, and incline with light-rail-certified validation devices.

Greater Cleveland RTA, SARTA, Metro RTA, NEOride & Laketran 

We asked some of the transit agencies participating in the EZfare regional fare collection system what they think of Masabi and the Justride fare collection platform.

Here is what they said…

“The success of this initiative is the result of the close partnership that we have developed with Masabi, helping to roll-out upgrades and improvements that continue to make everyday life easier for our new and existing customers. The scale of mobile ticketing adoption illustrates the power of this partnership and its benefits.”

 

Stuart Mclay

Head of Retail at National Express West Midlands.

Ticketing Transformation: From Open Payments in Las Vegas to Projects with National Express West Midlands and Transport for Wales

Within this report, leading industry experts take the opportunity to consider the current outlook for the future of ticketing and payments within the public transport space, and shine a spotlight on the merits of the various types of technology that are in play.

Content Include:

• Las Vegas RTC roll out Open Payments. A layered approach to transit payment options increases convenience and efficiency for Southern Nevada customers by M.J. Maynard, CEO of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC)
• RTC’s Open Payments launch. Hear from Scott Mazick, Senior Director of IT at the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC
• National Express Mobile Ticketing Success. Hear form Stuart McLay, Head of Retail at National Express West Midlands (NXWM)
• Transport for Wales Barcode Ticket Inspect. Hear from Gareth Marsh, Digital Fraud Manager at Transport for Wales (TfW)

Dayton RTA Transforms Transit with Account-Based Ticketing

The Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has successfully transitioned to a contactless fare collection system using Masabi’s Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) solution, ensuring a more equitable, safe, and convenient experience for riders. By adopting Masabi’s Fare Payments-as-a-Service model, Dayton RTA rolled out a seamless, mobile-first approach, revolutionizing public transit in the region.

Key Highlights:

• Phased Deployment: Began with mobile ticketing featuring visually validated passes, followed by a full ABT system rollout in manageable stages.
• Cashless Onboard Buses: Transitioned away from onboard cash payments, streamlining operations and reducing boarding times.
• Innovative First: Dayton became the first agency in the US to retire its fareboxes, fully embracing contactless ticketing.
• Equitable Access: The ABT system improves accessibility for all rider groups, ensuring a seamless payment experience for everyone.

“With the help of our partners at Masabi, we are able to deliver fare equity through fare capping for our customers who are least able to pay the upfront costs of monthly passes, and as a result traditionally end up paying the most at the end of the month.”

 

Brandon Policicchio

Chief Customer Officer at Greater Dayton RTA

“As the largest regional fare collection project in the country, and still growing, EZfare is proving that small and mid-sized agencies can work together to bring cutting-edge technology like Account-Based Ticketing to riders across multiple states.”

 

Katherine Conrad

Executive Director of NEORide

NEORide’s EZfare & Masabi – Advancing Transport Accessibility Across Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and West Virginia

Key Highlights:

• 10+ million barcode validations processed in 2024
• 850,000+ barcode scans per month across the network
• 16 transport operators and authorities using EZfare across 4 U.S. states

NEORide’s EZfare platform, in partnership with Masabi, has revolutionised fare payments, making transport more accessible, equitable, and seamless across multiple states. Since its launch in 2019, EZfare has expanded to serve 16 transport operators and authorities across Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, and West Virginia, providing passengers with modern and convenient ticketing options.

Rochester rolls out Account-Based Ticketing and Mobility as a Service in upstate New York.

Rochester rolls out Account-Based Ticketing and Mobility as a Service in upstate New York. Case study Takeaways:

• Mobile ticketing integrated into the Transit app for convenient and seamless (MaaS) rider
  experiences.
• Account-Based Ticketing with smartcards and mobile removes the need for riders to buy tickets or
  select fares in advance – just tap and ride.
• Fare-capping means riders are always charged the best price for their journey, delivering equity by
  enabling period passes for those who can’t afford to purchase them in advance.
• Fare Payments as-a-Service (FPaaS) system delivery model enables constant updates and provides
  a cost-effective solution for RTS.

“As businesses in our region continue to open and adjust to new realities from the COVID-19 pandemic, RTS is happy to implement our new RTS Go fare payment system and provide customers with new and safe options to manage and pay their fares.”

“In addition to integrating a new mobile app and reloadable smartcards into our system, the technology behind RTS Go adds a new layer of safety for customers on the bus through contactless fare payment.”

 

Bill Carpenter

RTS CEO

“We know that transit is at the heart of ensuring economic mobility for all in our region and advancing this new digital fare payment system is truly the right thing to do”

 

Joanna M. Pinkerton

President/CEO at COTA

COTA is Transforming the Way Central Ohioans Move with Account-Based Ticketing

Account-Based Ticketing is on a roll in Central Ohio. COTA partnered with Masabi and mobility app Transit to implement a fully digital account-based fare management system- one that offers ease, convenience and security- for passengers to locate and pay for rides using the Transit app or a COTA smartcard, eliminating the need to purchase passes or select fares before boarding.

COTA’s new solution has been extremely popular with riders seeking greater fare flexibility with travel habits disrupted by the shift to more home working and flexible working hours. The new system has also helped COTA receive comprehensive rider data to optimize services as well as the new validation devices deliver a contactless and speedy boarding process reducing dwell times.

Revolutionising Smart Ticketing and MaaS Integration in Public Transport

Discover how National Express West Midlands partnered with Masabi to launch their mobile ticketing app, marking the beginning of a transformative journey aimed at enhancing the passenger experience

Key Highlights:

• 43 million bus trips enabled by mTickets in 2023.
• 21% increase in mTicket usage from 2023 to 2024.
• 25% reduction in driver effort, streamlining operations.
• +1,300 retail locations in partnership with Payzone now offer convenient ticket purchases.

“This new partnership allows us to make it easier for passengers to discover and access our services. We’re excited to be working with Masabi and Payzone to provide our passengers with a way of paying for National Express Bus services.”

 

Daljit Kalirai

Sales director at National Express West Midlands

““This new app will not only help to modernize our services, but also offer EMT Valencia passengers a safe, convenient and immediate way to purchase tickets. We are excited to be deploying Masabi’s market-leading mobile ticketing platform to allow our passengers to manage their entire transit experience from a single app anytime, anywhere, and to be the first city in Spain to introduce an entirely cash-free onboarding service.”

 

Giuseppe Grezzi

Councilman for Sustainable Mobility and President of EMT Valencia

Mobile ticketing system sees EMT Valencia eliminate on-board cash payments.

Key learnings:

• The EMTicket app, launched in August 2020 in record time, has enabled EMT Valencia to quickly overcome the logistical challenges forced upon it by the Covid-19 pandemic.
• EMT Valencia deployed a solution that led to reduced dwell times while also providing Covid-safe payment solutions for its passengers, ending on-board cash payments completely.
• Following the successful launch of the EMTicket app, EMT Valencia has developed their current mobile ticketing offering, making 5-ticket and 10-ticket carnets available.

From Mobile Ticketing to Mobility-as-a-Service with Uber and Transit in Denver. 

Masabi first launched mobile ticketing services for RTD in the fall of 2017 with the popular agency-branded RTD Mobile Tickets app, which enables riders to conveniently purchase, download and display tickets to travel across all modes of transit in the Denver area. With many Denverites still choosing to drive over public transit services, RTD committed to a plan to provide more integrated mobility options and in May 2019, Denver became the world’s first city to enable riders to purchase public transit tickets and ride public transport seamlessly through the Uber app using Uber Transit ticketing. This new service meant Uber users could jump in an Uber, then onto a bus or train, all from the same application, planning and paying seamlessly.

“Our mobile ticketing sales channel just utterly exceeded all of our expectations. It literally just crushed it.”

 

Tonya Anderson

Senior Product Manager, Electronic Fare Operations at RTD in Denver

“Masabi’s experience in UK rail barcode ticketing is second to none.
Working in partnership with them and their ecosystem, we have
delivered a solution which reliably and efficiently enables mobile
ticketing at scale across Welsh transport.”

 

Gareth Marsh

Retail Fraud Investigator at TfW

Transport for Wales (TfW) – Pioneering Barcode Validation and Seamless Rail Ticketing Across the Network

Key Highlights:

• 12+ million barcode ticket scans processed by TfW in 2023
• 1+ million barcodes scanned monthly
• Powered by Masabi’s Inspect SDK and eTVD for real-time ticket validation

Transport for Wales (TfW), a key player in the UK rail network, has been at the forefront of digital ticketing transformation. In partnership with Masabi and its ecosystem of solutions, TfW launched a barcode validation programme that addresses the modern challenges of secure, interoperable ticketing.