PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND CHALLENGES TO DEVELOPING A SEAMLESS REGIONAL FARE COLLECTION SYSTEM: REGIONAL FARE COLLECTION SYSTEM PROJECT, TWIN CITIES METROPOLITAN REGIONAL TRANSIT SYSTEM

This paper describes the challenges the project management team faced in developing a complex project under a tight timeframe that will affect all aspects of transit operations. With the introduction of Light Rail Transit to the region, metro Transit capitalized on the opportunity to develop a regional fare collection system that would integrate the existing transit system, which consisted of approximately 1,200 buses, with the new Hiawatha Light Rail Transit and the Riverview Corridor Bus Rapid transit system, and potentially the Northstar Commuter Rail and Northwest Corridor Bus Rapid Transit. This paper provides observations on the approach taken, including seamless transfer between bus and rail and increasing boarding speeds on regional buses. The paper identifies contactless smart cards as a tool that could help the agency to achieve these goals.