Science & Technology
Science and Technology
Science and Technology
Thu, June 17, 2010
Wed, June 16, 2010 Cubic Supports Metropolitan Transportation Commission in Launching Clipper(SM) Card for San Francisco Bay Area
CONCORD, CA--(Marketwire - June 16, 2010) - For the past two months, ClipperSM card reader technology and decals have been materializing on fareboxes, gates and ticketing machines throughout the San Francisco Bay Area transportation network. Cubic Transportation Systems, a subsidiary of Cubic Corporation (
Featuring colorful abstract artwork symbolizing 19th century Clipper ships, the reloadable Clipper card allows riders to transfer from one transit agency to another by simply touching the card to the Clipper card reader on board each bus or at rail stations -- using one card to pay for all the rides. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), the agency that plans, coordinates and finances transportation projects in the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area, chose the name Clipper because of its connection with the region's transportation history.
In the mid 1800s, San Francisco Bay was a port for the Clipper ships that brought the 49ers and prosperity to California. In the 1930s and 1940s, Flying Clipper amphibious airplanes flew to and from the city. Baseball fans also like the connection to Joe DiMaggio, the Yankee Clipper, who was born and raised in the Bay Area.
Cubic joined with MTC officials in officially launching the new smart card on June 16. So far, Muni, BART, AC Transit, Golden Gate Transit, Golden Gate Ferry and Caltrain -- representing about 80 percent of Bay area transit riders -- are on the regional smart card bandwagon. Eventually, 25 transit agencies plan to use the Clipper system.
Currently, close to 113,000 people actively use Clipper's predecessor, the TransLink card, and TransLink cards are still being accepted on all fare collection devices. For a limited promotional period, Clipper cards will be distributed for free. Clipper cards are available online at [ www.clippercard.com ], at more than 200 retail outlets including Walgreens stores and the Bay Crossings kiosk at the Embarcadero BART station, and at transit agency ticket offices. Patrons can also have their pre-tax transit benefits loaded directly onto the Clipper card with Clipper Direct through their employer's transit benefits program.
"Cubic's Concord-based customer service team has been working with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to get the word out about Clipper and distribute the new smart card," said Dave Lapczynski, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Services for Cubic Transportation Systems. "Commuters who would like to have a Clipper card are encouraged to get one now, while they are free."
In addition to swapping TransLink decals and modifying card readers to accept the new smart card, Cubic's Concord employees helped MTC to create the new Clipper web site, which Cubic will maintain. Concord employees also install and upgrade hardware and software, operate a call center and repair depot, provide field maintenance, and supply central system administration, financial settlement and clearing for Bay Area transit agencies.
"Cubic has a complete end-to-end service offering in the Bay Area," noted Richard Wunderle, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cubic Transportation Systems.
Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc., is part of Cubic Corporation. Cubic Corporation is the parent company of three major business segments: Defense Systems, Mission Support Services and Transportation Systems. Cubic Defense Systems is a leading provider of realistic combat training systems and defense electronics. Mission Support Services is a leading provider of training, operations, maintenance, technical and other support services.
Cubic Transportation Systems is the world's leading turnkey solution provider of automated fare collection systems for public transport including bus, bus rapid transit, light rail, commuter rail, heavy rail, ferry and parking. Cubic's solutions and services include system design, central computer systems, equipment design and manufacturing, device-level software, integration, test, installation, warranty, maintenance, computer hosting services, call centre services, card management and distribution services, financial clearing and settlement, multi-application support and outsourcing services.
Every year, nearly 10 billion rides are taken worldwide using Cubic fare collection systems. Cubic has delivered over 400 projects in 40 major markets on five continents. Active projects include London; New York/New Jersey region; Washington, D.C. /Baltimore/Virginia region; Los Angeles region; San Diego region; San Francisco; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Chicago; Atlanta; Miami; Vancouver and Edmonton, Canada; Brisbane, Australia and Scandinavia.
