Access-IS ticket validators help transform bus ticketing in Jacksonville

Access-IS, a market leader in the ticket reading and validation sector, is delighted to have worked with Passport Inc. and the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) to help deliver a truly modern ticketing ecosystem.

The JTA wanted to launch a fully functional mobile ticketing solution that would provide an easier transit experience for their riders. Along with other technological initiatives, this mobile ticketing app was a part of the JTA’s larger vision of a more connected transit system. To coincide with the launch of Jacksonville’s new Bus Rapid Transit System (the First Coast Flyers) and other technology updates, the JTA selected Passport Inc. to deliver a new mobile ticketing app and Access-IS to provide the on-board hardware.

Access-IS VAL100 validators were installed on over 200 buses with riders able to scan their mobile tickets through the MyJTA app as they board the bus, leading to reduced on-boarding time. The mobile ticket also includes passback logic, which prevents riders from rescanning tickets, therefore reducing fraud and protecting the agency against violators.

With increased mobile utilization, the JTA saw a significant decrease in the amount of physical tickets printed, leading to over $40,000 in savings from print and paper costs in the first year alone. In addition to these savings, mobile ticketing reduces the authority’s reliance on expensive hardware (ticket vending machines) that is prone to wear and tear and reduces administrative and maintenance processes.

With the ever increasing popularity of smartphones, it’s no surprise the MyJTA app has been a success in Jacksonville, Florida. Year-on-year, the JTA achieved a 550% increase (or 5.5x increase) on the mobile platform from mobile tickets bought through the app and that number continues to grow. With a mobile app, the JTA can stay at the forefront of technology and make its transit system more accessible to its customers — even expanding its customer base. It’s critical to projects like this that the on-board infrastructure is as forward thinking as the mobile ticketing. Catering to riders with printed and electronic barcodes or NFC tickets presented at any angle to a single point of presentation, delivers a truly intuitive passenger experience.

The VAL100 On-board Validator is designed for use in a variety of public transportation automatic fare collection systems. It combines a proven multimedia ticket reader with an open architecture Linux computer to create a mobile ticket validation solution, when combined with third party software. The unit can be specified in multiple configurations to cater for any on-board or back end infrastructure and can even be fitted with a contactless EMV payment reader.

Speaking about the ticketing transformation, Greg Hayes, CFO, Jacksonville Transportation Authority said “Everything we do at JTA is with the customer in mind. This app and the on-board hardware give customers more choice, more flexibility and improves the customer experience. For the JTA, it’s much more cost efficient and it prepares us for the future”.

About Access-IS

Access-IS is at the forefront of the development of innovative electronic systems, specialising in image processing, RFID/NFC and contactless EMV payment technology, barcode reading and specialist keyboards. Access-IS is dedicated to manufacturing products designed to accurately capture and transfer information into electronic systems.

Our Transport Ticketing products are designed with the customer experience at their heart. Access-IS has pioneered ticket readers and validators which can quickly and easily read tickets of all  media types, including paper barcode, mobile barcode, smartcard, contactless bank cards, mobile payments, NFC, all from a single point of presentation. Our unique TripTick® devices now add contactless EMV payments to that same, single point of presentation. Our trusted products are installed; on trains, trams and buses; at ticket offices, gate lines and ticket vending machines; in offices, car parks and stadia to name but a few.

Accredited to ISO9001:2015 and with a track record stretching back 30 years, Access-IS continues to guarantee the highest standards of design and quality with its dedicated Research and Development team based in the UK and the vast majority of its products manufactured in the UK with only the highest quality materials and techniques.

About the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) is an independent agency of the state of Florida, primarily serving Duval County (Jacksonville) with multi-modal responsibilities. The JTA designs and constructs bridges and highways and provides varied mass transit services throughout Northeast Florida. These services comprise express and regular bus service, the First Coast Flyer Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network, the Skyway downtown monorail, the St. Johns River Ferry, ReadiRide on-demand neighborhood shuttles, the Gameday Xpress, Connexion and Connexion Plus paratransit for the transportation disadvantaged and regional Express Select services in Baker, St. Johns and Nassau County. The JTA is also the transportation disadvantage service provider for Clay County, and also provides flex routes for Clay residents.

Jacksonville is the largest city in the continental U.S. by square miles. That large service territory requires the JTA to provide an integrated transportation network that improves mobility, strengthens the Jacksonville economy and enhances the quality of life for customers, employees and the public. For more, visit www.jtafla.com www.jtafla.com

About Passport Inc.

We are a highly engaged, passionate and innovative team focused on positively impacting the world around us – by putting people first.

Through strong partnerships with our clients, we affect meaningful change by improving the way people move within their communities. The pace of innovation we have set is complemented by our dedication to client success and customer support, all of which aim to advance the way citizens interact with the organizations who serve them. We create products that aim to transform the way cities and agencies manage their operations – from parking to tolling and transit. Read more at www.passportinc.com