GENEVA –May 29, 2013 – Cubic Transportation Systems reports an overwhelmingly positive response to yesterday’s launch of NextAgent, the company’s radical new concept in transport ticketing which uses high-speed video links to enable passengers to interact with ticketing staff in real time, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
NextAgent – an innovative hybrid of ticket office, call center and ticket vending machine – enables transit operators to respond to a continuing demand from passengers for the foreseeable future to retain the option to interact with a customer service agent. At the same time, staffing ticket offices across an operator’s network outside peak travel hours is expensive and ties up staff, restricting their deployment in other roles.
NextAgent enables operators to balance these competing demands cost effectively by centralizing – either physically or virtually – ticketing expertise so that it can be accessed by passengers whenever they are traveling.
“We’re really excited about this product, which we believe is a potential game-changer for transport operators. NextAgent is that rare thing – a true ‘win-win’ – in that it enables operators to simultaneously offer the highest and most consistent levels of service while managing costs through increased efficiency,” said Steve Shewmaker, president, Cubic Transportation Systems. “It means that at the touch of a button, any passenger at any station equipped with NextAgent can speak with a customer service agent exactly as they would at a standard ticket office window.
"As a society, we tend to be suspicious of technology introduced in the name of progress and efficiency: I’m sure we can all recall examples of ‘one size fits all’ systems that are great for straightforward requirements but which fall at the first hurdle when presented with anything that doesn’t match the standard algorithm. NextAgent contradicts that theory, offering a uniquely personalized ticketing service for every passenger who wants or needs it, every time. No matter how remote the station or how complex the requirement, NextAgent allows unparalleled responsiveness, while managing demand across the network.”
Matt Cole, senior vice president, strategy and development at Cubic noted that while Cubic had high hopes for yesterday’s launch, the reality proved even better. “We had serious conversations with many transport operators from around the world and we look forward to continuing those discussions in earnest in the coming weeks.”
Cubic is exhibiting at the UITP World Congress & Mobility and City Transport Exhibition, May 27-30, Geneva on booth 2D300, and at the APTA Rail Conference Product Showcase, Philadelphia, June 2-3, at Booth 404. Further information about NextAgent is available in the product launch release and on the company’s website.
About 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 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 solutions that help transport operators manage their operations and services and give passengers choices in the smartest and easiest ways to pay their fares. 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.
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