Google Wallet users can purchase tickets at New York Penn Station vending machines and ticket windows, Newark Liberty International Rail Station and bus routes that were recently upgraded with contactless readers from vendor ACS Transport Solutions Group. The free mobile app enables wireless data transmission between two objects so customers can wave their phones by a sensor and pay for transit tickets.
Governor Christie said in a statement, “Our partnership with Google demonstrates that NJ Transit and the state are at the forefront of emerging technology, paving the way for further exploration of new customer service technologies. I am proud that New Jersey’s public transportation system is the very first public transportation agency to partner with Google Wallet, joining thousands of retailers accepting Wallet across the nation.”
“Transit has been a common element of every major successful NFC effort globally and is a critical component of Google Wallet’s success,” said Stephanie Tilenius, Google vice president of commerce.
Randy Vanderhoof, executive director of the Princeton Junction, NJ based Smart Card Alliance says, “The addition of NJ Transit will be a big boost for NFC mobile wallet usage. Consumers with Google-Wallet enabled phones might shop in Macy’s or Foot Locker once a month, but those same people may ride NJ Transit twice a day.
Commenting on the technology, NJ Transit executive director James Weinstein said emerging technologies will streamline the way customers buy their tickets and enhance their experience.
Mike Nash, ACS vice president of transportations solutions said, “This is about making transportation easy and simple for riders. More options [to pay] are better.”
According to a blogpost written by Marlo McGriff, Google business product manager of commerce the New Jersey Transit partnership is the first of many such agreements in the coming months.
On Tuesday, Google announced partnerships with seven new retailers including, Foot Locker, Guess, The Container Store and Jamba Juice. Google Wallet is already associated with Walgreens and Subway.
The success of the program will now depend on the amount of time it takes Google to add Wallet support for devices other than Nexus S 4G devices.
Google Wallet, a free app, is currently available on Sprint’s Nexus S 4G phone and supports Citi MasterCard credit cards and a Google Prepaid Card.
New Jersey Transit is one of several agencies to implement or test a contactless open-loop fare collection system nationwide.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is on the verge of finalizing its contract for open-loop contactless fare collection system. Scheidt & Bachmann and ACS, Cubic Transportation Inc., are looking to bag the contract and it is likely that the authority will make a decision some time this month or the next.
Cubic Transportation is already in partnership with Camden, NJ based Port Authority Transit Corp to develop a 12 month pilot project enabling commuters to pay both transit fares and retail purchases using a Vis-branded contactless prepaid debit card.
Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C., are in various planning stages regarding an open-fare system.