Cubic Transportation Systems has signed an exclusive software development and licensing agreement with Vivotech that will see its Tri-Reader card processing unit being upgraded to accept payment via contactless bank cards, prepaid cards and NFC handsets.

“With more than 50 million contactless bank cards issued in the US and growing interest among transit operators to add bank card acceptance as a way to pay fares for train and bus rides, this enhanced feature set will add a new level of convenience for those passengers carrying such products,” Cubic says. “Transit patrons will have the ability to tap a variety of products from various issuing groups as they board trains and buses.”

Under the agreement Cubic will integrate Vivotech’s contactless payment software into the latest generation Tri-Reader platforms and will obtain type certification for MasterCard Paypass, Visa PayWave, American Express and Discover cards.

Tri-Reader will then be able to act as an all-in-one contactless reader able to handle contactless bank cards, prepaid products such as First Data’s Go-Tag and NFC transactions as well as currrently issued transit cards and those conforming to national transit standards.

Cubic has an installed base of over 60,000 Tri-Readers across 17 major markets around the world. London’s Oyster card system, Washington’s SmarTrip system and New York/New Jersey’s SmartLink system are all supported by Tri-Reader technology.

“Cubic’s commitment to providing open standards and interoperability for the transit market is furthered by this agreement,” says Steve Shewmaker, president at Cubic Transportation Systems. “It also represents the cross-industry collaboration that is needed between the core suppliers to the transit market and those serving the electronic payments industry.”

Next: Visit the NFCW Expo to find new suppliers and solutions