Will Transit Funding Include Ticketing Innovation?

Harper, McGuinty roll out transit funding

The federal and Ontario governments recently announced they are injecting up to $500-million into the province's GO Transit system as part of a plan to help kick start the ailing economy. The investment is welcome and I will certainly be following this story because it is one of the first concrete examples of the Federal government using public funds to stimulate the ailing Ontario economy. Though details of the GO Transit funding are still scarce, early reports indicate the investment will be put towards twelve GO stations, from Mississauga west of Toronto to Markham in the east, and will improve access to parking as well as upgrade rail lines to improve reliability.

It will be very interesting to see how this project plays out over the next several years in improving the issues that commuters deal with daily. I am specifically interested in how technology will be deployed to improve the commuter experience in areas of mobile ticketing, contacless technology and mobile information portals. Brick and mortar investments in tracks and traffic congestion are essential to a progressive transportation solution, but one only has to look to other major cities such as San Francisco, London and Paris to see that virtually all are investing heavily in technology to improve rider experience and promote public transit.

Though I am not a GO commuter, I do use the TTC frequently and have been following the $6B development plans for new routes and rail lines with interest. Similarly, details have been sparse about how the TTC will embrace technology to improve rider experience and make it easier to use public transit. One does not have to think very hard about the ways mobile ticketing or contactless cards could improve the TTC experience. Being able to go online, via your PC or mobile to top-up your contactless card or mobile wallet would be so sweet! Never having to wait in those huge snaking lines to buy your monthly pass- who doesn't want that?

Torontonians are known for embracing technology. Unfortunately our public works and government institutions are not..

Mobile and e-ticketing solutions would also help to avoid any future issues with outdated and annoying tokens- much less having to prop up sagging TTC buildings that are straining under the weight of all those little slugs.

If you have any info on these issues faced by the TTC, Go Transit or provincial programs in general feel free to participate in the discussion!