Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority

Can function as a MasterCard debit card

Can be used on all SEPTA transit vehicles and trains

SEPTA is the sixth-largest transit agency in the United States

Challenges

Provide technical, procurement support, and program management services for a new integrated electronic fare payment system
Develop a system that expands ways for customers to pay fares, especially those without access to traditional banking services
Develop a system that is accepted across all SEPTA services, including buses, light rail vehicles (trolleys), rapid transit, commuter rail, paratransit, and the agency’s parking system
Develop a system that reduces the frequency of cash use and produces real-time operations and revenue data to improve agency decision-making
Develop a system that provides customers easy access to online, self-service account tools

Created a flexible fare payment and collection system offering a variety of means for customers to pay fares, including a SEPTA-issued smart card, magnetic media, bank-issued contactless cards, fobs, mobile phones, third-party issued ISO-compliant devices, and cash
Assisted with design of faregate layouts at subway, elevated, and regional rail stations
Oversaw installation of faregates and vending equipment, and integration with safety and communications systems and scheduling
Developed a system that features an open payments architecture and integrates a variety of elements: fare vending devices, smart media processors integrated into new turnstiles, new fare gates, validators onboard surface vehicles, a central data collection and reporting system, web portals for customers, schools, employers, and social service providers, and maintenance services for the procured system elements
Provided extensive support for new fare policies, common media, pricing, and transition throughout the project
Supported SEPTA throughout the procurement process, including development of detailed responses to vendor questions, procurement addenda, and technical documents for the Best-and-Final-Offer (BAFO)

The Key will eliminate the collection, processing, and packaging of 35,000,000 traditional subway tokens every year
The Key will record thousands of electronic transactions each minute, allowing for ridership growth
The Key is a first-in-the-nation, flexible, open payment system offering a variety of means for customers to pay fares across all modes of transportation operated by SEPTA