RDATE:04112008
Waltham, Mass and London UK -- MetraTech Corp., the innovative
charging, billing, settlement and customer care product provider, the
ERG Group, a world leader in smart card automated fare collection
solutions, and the Utah Transport Authority (UTA) have signed a
contract for ERG to develop and implement an account-based fare
collection system which will include acceptance of contactless credit
cards. The solution is powered by MetraTech Corp's MetraNet product.
The MetraNet-based ERG solution will allow a variety of contactless
cards to be used for fare payment including UTA-issued cards, employer
provided smart cards as well as contactless credit cards. At full
system rollout, the system will feature a unique-to-ERG onboard rapid
authorisation of contactless credit cards to minimise any risk of
credit card fraud.
The contract follows a highly successful pilot project in which buses
serving Salt Lake City ski areas were equipped with the payment system.
In addition to the choice of contactless credit cards, this allowed
customers to use smart cards for both transit payment and ski resort
access. In addition to offering a significant flexibility advantage to
customers, the system in this way also encourages green initiatives by
enabling employers and organisations to subsidise travel via access to
their own internal smart cards.
MetraNet was selected for the project because of its ability to support
the unique requirements outlined by UTA in a product-based environment.
Its ability to dynamically adapt to and bill for UTA's new business
model reduced both the cost and time-to-market of the project.
Development of the system will be a collaborative effort. According to
Clair Fliet, UTA Chief Technology Officer, "We were looking for a
company that could deliver the cutting edge solution we envisioned to
help UTA implement a dynamic new business model. ERG, with MetraTech,
proved they had the experience and attitude to make this happen."
John Inglish, UTA General Manager added "acceptance of contactless
credit cards at the farebox will bring a whole new level of convenience
to our customers. By working with this leading-edge technology, the
system becomes more efficient for all our customers, drivers and
administrative staff."
Commented Scott Swartz, Chief Executive Officer, MetraTech Corp., "Our
solution for ERG again underlines MetraNet's suitability for and impact
in the transportation sector. It also adds another exciting project to
our company's growing repertoire of solutions for innovative business
models. Ranging from Blyk in the telecommunications sector to Dish
Networks in the media sector to, now, UTA in the transport sector, a
growing number of today's leading companies are relying on
infrastructure provided by MetraTech to transform their business
models."
Concluded Steve Gallagher, ERG's Executive Director, Operations: "We're
extremely pleased to be partnering with MetraTech Corp. in providing
this ground-breaking solution for UTA." MetraTech will also support
ERG's roll-out of this solution to the wider industry after the UTA
implementation is completed.
About MetraTech
MetraTech Corp. offers a new approach to charging, billing, settlement
and customer care enabling organizations to embrace change without
compromise. MetraNet, our flagship product, is unique in its ability to
automate business processes and business models that address rapidly
changing, complex or radical business strategies across any industry
for an unlimited number of services. MetraNet is deployed globally,
enabling diverse customers to build innovative and successful business
models, securely collect revenue, and manage their entire customer
lifecycle in some 12 languages, 26 currencies and 90 countries.
MetraTech offers a variety of delivery options ranging from licensing
to outsourcing. Headquartered in Boston, MetraTech has offices in San
Francisco, Frankfurt, Paris, Singapore, Rio de Janeiro and London.
MetraTech is a venture-backed, privately held company whose investors
include Accel Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, Meritech Capital,
and Vesbridge Partners.
About ERG Group
The ERG Group is a world leader in the development of integrated fare
management and software systems for the transit industry and for its
smart card systems and services. The Group has installed systems in
major cities throughout the world including Hong Kong, Melbourne, Rome,
San Francisco and Singapore.
CONTACT: Sarah Bedwell, MUSTARD PR for MetraTech Corp
Tel: +44 (0)1628 502 601
e-mail:
sarah@mustardpr.com
Barbara Reichert for MetraTech Corp
Tel: +1 415 296 5130
e-mail:
Barbara@reichertcom.com
Keith Brody, Head of Communications, MetraTech Corp
Tel: +44 (0)7790 245 779
e-mail:
kbrody@metratech.com
WWW:
http://www.metratech.com
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