The Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) will sponsor a free webinar series later this month titled “The Emergence of Open Electronic Payment Systems in Public Transit.” This three-part webinar series will discuss the trend of transit agencies moving to an open payment solution. The series will provide background information on traditional closed fare payment solutions and emerging open payment solutions, and it will also discuss the communication standards for open payment solutions and if the two technologies can coexist. The first webinar in the series, “Introduction to Closed Payment Systems and Open Payment Systems in Public Transit,” will provide a high-level introduction into closed fare payment systems and open payment systems in transit.

The free webinar will take place on Tuesday, January 18, 2011, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. CST. The schedule for the following two webinars in the series will be released during the webinar on the 18th.

CMAP believes an open electronic payment system in public transit would be beneficial for the region. Open electronic payment systems would allow for transit users to transfer seamlessly between transit providers and would improve the operational efficiency of the transit system. CMAP supports seamless coordination between modes in the Increase Commitment to Public Transit chapter of GO TO 2040.