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Fare Collection Infrastructure Upgrade
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DESCRIPTION: To Upgrade our Fare Collection Infrastructure hardware and software. |
AGENDA NO: Click or tap here to enter text. |
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ACTION REQUEST: ☒ Approval ☐ Review Comment ☐ Information Only ☐ Other |
RECOMMENDATION:
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Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to award a contract to Genfare in the not to exceed amount of $1,195,819.00 to purchase fare collection equipment, IT infrastructure, and provide a contactless fare collection system and related hardware for the ferries that can integrate RTA’s existing fare collection system.
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ISSUE/BACKGROUND:
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This project consists of two joint initiatives, each with its own sources of funding, that will upgrade RTA’s current fare collection infrastructure and provide for an integrable contactless fare collection system for the ferry service.
The first initiative intends to address RTA’s outdated fare collection system, by upgrading RTA’s hardware and software systems that are no longer supported. The vault receivers that collect the cash collected by the buses and streetcars are over 20 years old and are at the end of their useful life. The new buses are coming with modern technology fare boxes that will allow the agency to adapt. While upgrading some of its hardware and software, and with the introduction of new technology, RTA must also upgrade its system to be compatible with these new vehicles, as well as update our IT systems and fare collection devices.
The second initiative, also related to introducing new technology to RTA’s fleet, will allow the ferry service to provide a contactless fare collection system, integrable to RTA’s existing and to be upgraded fare collection system.
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DISCUSSION:
RTA’s current fare collection system for the buses and streetcars is provided by Genfare. At present, however, this system does not include the ferry service.
As it relates to the buses and streetcars, the current fare collection system requires upgrades/replacement to continue its functionality, operability, dependability and improve cyber-security. Required parts and technology are only available through Genfare due to compatibility requirements that already exist within the system. Genfare manufactures the Odyssey model of fare boxes, vaults, and fare collection system; these items must integrate and interface seamlessly with Genfare’s electronic components, programming, wiring, and mechanical components. These are also direct replacement parts/components for RTA’s existing equipment. The current network infrastructure outdated, and its physical vault receivers are worn out past their useful life cycle, installed prior to 2005.
Genfare also provides four solutions that would address the ferry service’s needs for a contactless fare collection system, that can also integrate into the RTA’s existing and to be upgraded fare collection system. These solutions include a cloud-based single fare collection solution that supports multiple domains and is interoperable between different modes of transits; handheld ticket validators; ticketing vending machines that support the purchase and recharge of smart and magnetic cards, and accepts bills and coins; and a mobile ticketing app.
Upon completion of this project, these initiatives will upgrade RTA’s current, but outdated hardware and unsupported software, and begin the integration of the agency’s different modes into a system that provides a more secured collection of fares, better tracking of cost, counting and auditing of the fares collected by the agency.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
For the first initiative, funding is available through local funding sources; the total estimated cost of this project is $458,057.
For the second initiative, its source of funding is Amendment no. 8 to the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between RTA and the Department of Transportation and Development of the State of Louisiana (LADOTD), providing for monies available from FTA grants LA-90-X413-00, for which LADOTD is the grantee. Source of corresponding local match is also LADOTD. Total funding available from both sources is $737,762.00, which exceed this initiative’s quoted cost of $735,540.00.
NEXT STEPS:
If approved, RTA’s management will proceed to award contract(s) with Genfare to carry out the intended purposes of this project.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. Requisition initiative
3. Routing sheet and sole source document for the second initiative
Prepared By: Ryan Moser, rmoser@rtaforward.org
Title: Manager of Fleet Technology
Reviewed By: Lona Edwards Hankins, lhankins@rtaforward.org
Title: Deputy CEO of Planning and Infrastructure
Reviewed By: Gizelle Johnson Banks
Title: Chief Financial Officer
9/23/2021
Alex Wiggins Date
Chief Executive Officer