HOLM-Forum, FRANKFURT – December 10, 2013 – Cubic Transportation Systems announced today it received the industry’s first certification from the Association of German Transport Companies under new standards for an Internet-based sales office system for the issue and administration of contactless smart card-based e-tickets using off-the-shelf hardware.
After two years of field use with its client Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV), the Cubic vHGS solution received certification against the rigorous German eTicket standards, validating the technical approach and providing a model for other providers.
Systems meeting the German eTicket standards set a new level of performance because they enable the secure use of any Internet-connected PC for contactless smart card e-ticket issuance in a sales office. Until now, systems required smart card readers that contained an expensive, proprietary security application module (SAM). With the new lower cost systems pioneered by Cubic, smaller transportation agencies and partners can provide a wide range of ticketing services without buying expensive dedicated ticketing systems, all agencies can improve customer service more affordably by adding additional low cost workstations, and the risks from stolen systems are reduced.
About the German eTicket Certification
The VDV-Kernapplikation GmbH & Co.KG (Association of German Transport Companies) (VDV KA), the German eTicket standards body, has issued its first certification for an e-ticket-based sales office to Cubic Transportation Systems for the German VDV core application standard. Cubic’s sales office solution for the issue and administration of smart cards is part of the system called “vHGS,” developed and operated for the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV) by Cubic Transportation Systems (Deutschland) GmbH based in Hamburg.
Elke Fischer, head of application management and certification at VDV KA GmbH, said, "The first certified KA terminal is a new and important step for the (((eTicket Deutschland after several proofs of the certification of VDV-KA media. This should provide a basis for all other providers of KA components."
The system consists of a multi-client-capable central system with sales offices connected to the back office via a Web interface. The system was put into operation in December 2011 after two years of development. Today 32 transport operators from the region of the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund are using the Cubic system which replaced RMV’s previous paper tickets with the contactless VDV-KA smart card eTicket RheinMain . Other (((e-Ticket products include “65plus” for senior citizens school season tickets called CleverCards. Additional RMV tariff products will be launched soon including weekly and monthly passes as well as job tickets.
“From the beginning, the KA standard has been a basic requirement in the eTicket RheinMain concept," said Jörg Puzicha, managing director, Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund Servicegessellschaft mbH. “It is the basis for the smooth integration and cooperation of all the systems operated by the nearly 200 project partners and further promotes the customer-friendly service concept in the region.”
The multi-client capability of the system leverages economies of scale so that smaller transportation companies too can become part of the distribution system without having to fund an expensive, separate dedicated ticketing system. Riders benefit from the broader availability of services such as the change and return of ticket products and subscriptions, notices of loss or the issue of replacement smart cards through any participating operator. Previously, this had only been possible at the sales office of the transportation company from which the customer had originally purchased the product.
"We are extremely pleased with the successful completion of what was a very challenging certification process for the vHGS," said Stefan Jacobs, general manager of Cubic’s Germany-based operations. “To be first to receive the certification validates our e-ticketing system architecture for future systems.”
About Cubic Corporation
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 secure communications systems. Mission Support Services is a leading provider of training, operations, maintenance, technical and other support services for U.S. and allied nations.
Cubic® Transportation Systems, Inc., is a leading integrator of payment and information technology and services for intelligent travel solutions. Cubic delivers integrated systems for transportation and traffic management, delivering tools for travelers to choose the smartest and easiest way to travel and pay for their journeys, and enabling transportation authorities and agencies to manage demand across the entire transportation network – all in real-time. Cubic specializes in design, development, manufacture, supply, installation, integration, services and information. Services provided by Cubic include on-site management, central systems, operations support, patron support, business support and field services.
Every year, nearly 7 billion rides are taken worldwide using Cubic payment and information systems. Cubic has delivered over 400 projects in 40 major markets on five continents. Active projects include London; Brisbane (Southeast Queensland) region, Australia; New York/New Jersey region; Washington, D.C. /Baltimore/Virginia region; Los Angeles region; San Diego region; San Francisco region; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Chicago; Atlanta region; Miami (South Florida) region; Vancouver and Edmonton, Canada; Sydney (New South Wales), Australia; Germany; and Scandinavia.
In Germany Cubic has implemented and is operating the regional, multi-client-capable central system for electronic fare management for the RMV as well as the mobile ticketing systems for the Northern Hessen, Rhine-Main, Rhine-Neckar, and Karlsruhe regions.
For more information about Cubic, see the company’s website at www.cubic.com.
Contacts:
Rosemary Alton/Harriet Jamieson
HAMG360
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Timothy A. Hill
Director of Corporate Communications
Cubic Corporation
PH: +1 (858) 505-2430
Cell: +1 (858) 232-2927
timothy.hill@cubic.com