Mobile Ticketing Technology Services

The Ben Franklin Public Transit Benefit Area (BFPTBA) is a municipal corporation of the State of Washington. Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) is dedicated to providing public mass transportation within Benton and Franklin Counties in the State of Washington . BFT provides the community with numerous public bus routes, paratransit service meeting ADA requirements for the elderly and disabled, and overseeing Connect, the regional rideshare program. Working in conjunction with other regional organizations, BFT provides an important link in the chain of seamless regional transportation services. BFT carries approximately 2.4 million riders a year on a fixed-route fleet of 71 buses. In addition to 96 paratransit vehicles servicing the region. BFT’s fare collection system consists of basic fareboxes installed in the early 1990’s on both fixed route and paratransit vehicles. BFT contracts with Garda to provide cash vault collection services. Paper tickets and transfers are provided for riders who do not have passes. Drivers manually key in rider types upon rider entry and this information is collected to report on ridership data. On February 8, 2024, BFT’s Board of Directors approved a new fare structure that will result in changes to fixed route, CONNECT, and General Demand fares. The approved fare structure substantially reduces fare rates to support the community and to increase ridership. BFT is taking a technology lite approach to modernize its fare collection system. BFT seeks to procure a mobile ticketing app with encrypted ticketing technology and rotating icons to provide visual confirmation, only . BFT will not be installing onboard validators or equipment on any mode to support mobile ticketing. The successful Vendor will also provide training and support.