Calgary Transit looks to renew electronic fare card efforts
City spent $3.5M on Connect Card system, but it was terminated last year after multiple problems
Calgary Transit says it may hire Telvent again to complete its electronic fare card system.
The city had paid the company $3.5 million only to terminate its contract last year.
The city says Telvent continued to work on the Connect Card system for several months at its own risk and expense following the cancellation of the contract.
"We had a look at this work and feel it has the potential to provide a solution that’s right for Calgary,” said Calgary Transit director Doug Morgan in a release.
“We’re committed to implementing an electronic fare collection (EFC) system for our customers and want to ensure we consider all options. The Telvent option would cost taxpayers millions less and be implemented about two years earlier.”
Telvent had successfully designed electronic transit fare cards for cities in Mexico, Spain and China.
But it couldn't seem to get the system working in Calgary.
Calgary Transit says it has researched other EFC systems across North America and it would save $11 million by not going with a brand-new supplier.
The city has agreed to work with Telvent to determine if terms can be met for a new contract before Dec.15.
With files from CBC's Scott Dippel