SAN DIEGO, Calif., Dec. 10, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - Cubic Transportation Systems , a business segment of Cubic Corporation (NYSE: CUB ) and a leading integrator of payment and information technology and services for intelligent travel solutions, is celebrating the early completion of Sydney's Opal contactless smartcard ticketing system across all transport modes and connecting multiple operators.
On Dec. 1, the New South Wales (NSW) Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian announced that the Opal rollout on trains, buses, ferries and light rail for the greater Sydney region had been completed months ahead of schedule.
"Opal has revolutionized public transport in the region, with customers finally enjoying the convenience of electronic ticketing as people in other cities around the world have for many years. It has improved customer service and is making people's lives easier," said Premier Baird.
Minister Berejiklian said more people are using public transport thanks to Opal, with weekend patronage on trains up almost 12 percent and customers no longer standing in lengthy and frustrating Monday morning train station ticket queues every week.
The contract to build the new Electronic Ticketing System (ETS) – later branded as the Opal Card – was awarded to the Cubic-led Pearl consortium in 2010.
By December 2012, trials for the new smart card ticketing system began on a single ferry service in Sydney and the system was then rolled out progressively across the entire ferry, train, bus, and light rail network. During that time 39,000 pieces of complex electronic devices were installed, linking 5,000 buses, 308 train stations, 40 ferry wharves and 23 light rail stops to the Cubic-designed central computer system that controls the ticketing network.
With completion of delivery, Cubic has commenced operation and maintenance of the Opal system under the 10-year services agreement that is part of the original contract.
Steve Shewmaker, president of Cubic Transportation Systems, said Opal is a landmark project for Sydney transportation and the world's geographically largest electronic ticketing system.
"Opal covers 40,000 square kilometres, an area greater than Holland, Portugal or Switzerland," said Shewmaker. "The new system brings the most advanced smartcard ticketing technology available today to people living in and around the four major urban centers of New South Wales."
Shewmaker also said Opal has been future-proofed to support the addition of new ticketing technologies that Cubic developed and is rolling out in major cities like London and Chicago, including the use of mobile phones and credit cards if desired.
"The technology potential of Opal's deployment is consistent with our innovation and technology offerings of NextCity – Cubic's strategy for regional mobility," said Shewmaker. "NextCity represents a whole-of-transport movement to optimize the information and payment management assets and services for transportation operators and authorities and promote a host of benefits for public services."
More than 1.4 million Opal cards have been distributed and 20 million free trips taken under the weekly reward scheme where after eight paid journeys the rest are free and the daily fare is capped.
About Cubic Transportation Systems
Cubic® Transportation Systems, Inc., is part of Cubic Corporation. Cubic Corporation is the parent company of three major business segments. 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, more than 24 billion transportation payment transactions are processed using Cubic payment and information systems worldwide. Cubic has delivered over 20 regional back office operations which together integrate over 450 transport operators and serve over 38 million people every day in major markets around the world. 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 http://www.cubic.com/ .
Contacts:
John MacGregor
Managing Director
MPR
PH: 61-2-9969-3600
Cell: 61-414-445-447
jmac(at)macpr(dot)com(dot)au
Suzanne Hatcher
Corporate Communications
Cubic Corporation
PH: 858-505-2430
Cell: 858-774-4736
suzanne(dot)hatcher(at)cubic(dot)com
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Cubic Corporation Suzanne Hatcher +1 (858) 505-2430
