The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is teaming up with transit mobile ticketing solutions provider Masabi US ltd to bring mobile ticketing to commuter train travellers this autumn (view press release). The new app will be compatible with iPhone, Android and Blackberry and will enable consumers to buy their train tickets and display them to the conductor directly from their smartphone device. Each mobile ticket will have a barcode to be scanned for validation and all transactions will be processed through the encryptME security system. Monthly pass holders will be able to link a plastic ‘CharlieCard’ to their pass, enabling them to ‘tap in’ rather than using a magnetic ticket.

Masabi will provide the full ticketing solution incorporating everything from the customer-facing app and backend servers, to payment integration and scanning/validation software. The new solution is designed to cut costs by removing the need to install more vending machines and reducing cash handling overheads.