Central Puget Sound
Regional Fare Coordination
System
Cheryl Huston
Regional Program Administrator
Seattle, WA
March 18, 2013
Agenda
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Governance
Goals
Overview
Conversion
Benefits
Lessons learned
What’s next?
RFCS Agencies
To implement a common “seamless” fare collection
system – using smart card technology – for bus, rail
and ferry travel in the Central Puget Sound region.
RFCS Organization
Seven Governing Boards
Joint Board
Operations
Manager
Regional
Services
Contract
Admin
Fiscal Agent
Regional Program
Administrator
System
Operations
Program
Admin
Policy
Development
Seven Operating Agencies
Public
Information
RFCS Goals
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One regional card for all
Replace paper passes, tickets & tokens
Regional fare integration
Support and expand business accounts
Public acceptance
Customer satisfaction
Revenue and ridership data
Overview
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Five independent transit agencies
Agency-specific passes and paper transfers
Limited agreements for inter-agency media
Prior to smart card development:
o Regional Fare Coordination program
o Regional “PugetPass”
o Interagency transfer acceptance
Overview
1995-2000
2001-2005
2006-2010
2011+
Feasibility Study
Operating Concept
RFP Development
System Design and Testing
PLANNING & PROCUREMENT
Prototype
Demonstration
DESIGN
Evaluation & Contract
Finalization
Proposals Received
Full System
Acceptance
System Updates
IMPLEMENTATION
Beta Test
2006
OPERATIONS
Go Live
4/2009
Conversion
• Limited distribution of no fee ORCA cards
• Unlimited exchange for eligible Senior or
Disabled riders
• 2 hour transfer
• Website launched
• Street teams
• Marketing campaign
• Public acceptance
Conversion
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Limited ORCA rollout - 4/2009
Big Splash - 9/2009
Full System Acceptance -12/2011
Total sales - $172 million
Cards issued - 1.3 million
Average weekday boardings – 350,000
Percent of total boardings – 63%
Benefits
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Simplifies transfers
Faster, easier boardings
Accurate ridership data
Daily regional revenue reconciliation
Reduced types of fare media
Reduced cost of fare media production
Reduced staff resources to sell fare media
Increased customer benefits
Lessons learned
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Interagency operations and governance
Scale of change for agencies and customers
Card management
Vendor resources
System security
Data privacy
Underserved markets
Websites
What’s next?
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Special accounts
Retail card sales
Website redesign
Reaching new or underserved markets
New payment options
Evolving technology
Strategic planning
Questions?
Thank you
Cheryl Huston
ORCA Regional Program Administrator
206-398-5330
cherylhuston@soundtransit.org
orcacard.com