Cubic is the systems integrator and supplier of the intermodal revenue management system for TransLink, the transit system operated by the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority. Through contract awards in 1998, 2001, and 2008, Cubic designed and delivered a magnetics-based proof-of-payment system that links Coast Mountain Bus, SeaBus ferry, SkyTrain, and Canada Line.
Under the most recent contract award in 2008, Cubic received an $11 million contract to include the new 16-station Canada Line that links the city of Vancouver, Richmond and the Vancouver International Airport. The system was installed and fully operational six months before the commencement of the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Cubic has been the fare collection provider in Vancouver since the late 1990s, beginning with fareboxes for Coast Mountain Bus Company, an operating subsidiary of TransLink, and subsequently, delivering ticketing systems for the Sky Train’s Millennium and Expo rapid transit lines.
Cubic delivered the system that currently operates on SkyTrain. TransLink wanted a compatible system for the new Canada Line but enhanced with the capability to expand technologically. Cubic integrated its state-of-the-art Nextfare technology into its legacy system, enabling TransLink to upgrade its current central computer system and lay the foundation for possible future upgrade to smart card programs, which the authority is evaluating. The addition of Nextfare gives TransLink more powerful data reporting, administrative and management capabilities and the ability to expand in parallel with the authority’s business goals.
In addition to adding the Nextfare Central System, Cubic designed and installed new ticket vending machines and ticket validating units for the Canada Line, consistent with the look and feel of devices previously delivered for the Millennium and Expo rapid transit lines and familiar to TransLink's customers. The Canada Line system includes touch-screen vending machines that allow passengers to select from six languages – English, French, German, Chinese, Japanese and Punjabi – to purchase tickets. Passengers can use cash, Visa and MasterCard credit cards and certain debit cards for payment. Cubic also delivered ticket validating machines which allow FareSaver programme participants to validate their ticket before boarding a bus or train. The interoperability of Cubic’s ticketing systems lets passengers transfer seamlessly between TransLink’s bus and rail services.
Vancouver At-a-Glance:
- Newest revenue management system – for Canada Line – delivered six months ahead of schedule
- Nextfare Central System sets technology path for transition to future smart card system
- Earlier systems include Coast Mountain Bus, SkyBus Ferry, and SkyTrain Millennium and Expo rail lines