TX-2021-045
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Purpose of the Award and Activities to be Performed:
This application for Bus Discretionary 5339 funds in the federal amount of $14,770,058 will replace Metro's current QCard system and some of the legacy systems used by Metro and other regional transit providers throughout the Houston area. The new system will provide various payment options for patrons and integrate a robust sales network that will allow customers to purchase media and reload value to their accounts using cash, credit, or debit. Mobile payment integration will also be expanded during the project.
Expected Outcomes and Intended Beneficiaries:
The new fare collection system will provide an environment that will allow for consistency throughout the transit payment ecosystem in the Houston area. Open payments will allow riders to enjoy easy payment methods using payment items they currently use for other purchases, such as credit and debit cards, mobile payments, electronic wallet payment (Google Pay and Apple Pay), PayPal, as well as multiple ways to deal with cash. The system will provide consistency among machines and customer interfaces with clear messaging and regional integration with other transit services, such as parking, highway tolls, and micro-transit services. Customers will also enjoy improved service delivery through faster boarding, shorter dwell times, and streamlining the customer experience. The enhanced fare collection system can also collect valuable information about customer usage and behavior through electronic validation of all fare media, including mobile and paper media, that can help improve services. The new system will also facilitate regional interoperability and allow regional transit providers to interconnect services, share information, and provide a seamless payment experience for the customer.
This application will provide $14,770,058 in funding for Phase 1 of the system upgrade, with the project having a total cost up to $98 million. The local match of $3,692,516 will be from Metro's sales tax revenue. Pre-award authority begins on the date the award announcement was made by FTA, August 11, 2020.
D2020BUSC180 Subrecipient Activities: N/A
This application for Bus Discretionary 5339 funds in the federal amount of $14,770,058 will replace Metro's current QCard system and some of the legacy systems used by Metro and other regional transit providers throughout the Houston area. The new system will provide various payment options for patrons and integrate a robust sales network that will allow customers to purchase media and reload value to their accounts using cash, credit, or debit. Mobile payment integration will also be expanded during the project.
Expected Outcomes and Intended Beneficiaries:
The new fare collection system will provide an environment that will allow for consistency throughout the transit payment ecosystem in the Houston area. Open payments will allow riders to enjoy easy payment methods using payment items they currently use for other purchases, such as credit and debit cards, mobile payments, electronic wallet payment (Google Pay and Apple Pay), PayPal, as well as multiple ways to deal with cash. The system will provide consistency among machines and customer interfaces with clear messaging and regional integration with other transit services, such as parking, highway tolls, and micro-transit services. Customers will also enjoy improved service delivery through faster boarding, shorter dwell times, and streamlining the customer experience. The enhanced fare collection system can also collect valuable information about customer usage and behavior through electronic validation of all fare media, including mobile and paper media, that can help improve services. The new system will also facilitate regional interoperability and allow regional transit providers to interconnect services, share information, and provide a seamless payment experience for the customer.
This application will provide $14,770,058 in funding for Phase 1 of the system upgrade, with the project having a total cost up to $98 million. The local match of $3,692,516 will be from Metro's sales tax revenue. Pre-award authority begins on the date the award announcement was made by FTA, August 11, 2020.
D2020BUSC180 Subrecipient Activities: N/A
Funding Goals
NOT APPLICABLE
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding Agency
Funding Agency
Place of Performance
Texas
United States
Geographic Scope
State-Wide
Related Opportunity
NOT APPLICABLE
Analysis Notes
Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been shortened from 12/30/28 to 08/19/24.
Metropolitan Transit Authority Of Harris County was awarded
Transit Payment Ecosystem Upgrade for Houston Area
Project Grant TX-2021-045
worth $14,770,058
from the FTA Office of Budget and Policy in July 2021 with work to be completed primarily in Texas United States.
The grant
has a duration of 3 years 1 months and
was awarded through assistance program 20.526 Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions Programs.
$3,692,516 (20.0%) of this Project Grant was funded by non-federal sources.
Status
(Complete)
Last Modified 11/25/24
Period of Performance
7/14/21
Start Date
8/19/24
End Date
Funding Split
$14.8M
Federal Obligation
$3.7M
Non-Federal Obligation
$18.5M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to TX-2021-045
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
TX-2021-045
SAI Number
TX-2021-045-01-20.526
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
Other
Awarding Office
6974U7 REGION 6 DOT FTA
Funding Office
693JJ8 OFFICE OF BUDGET AND POLICY(TBP)
Awardee UEI
CDEZZSTCZTR5
Awardee CAGE
5ARK2
Performance District
TX-90
Senators
John Cornyn
Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz
Modified: 11/25/24