MBTA and Masabi team up for first smartphone rail ticketing system in the US, launching in Boston this fall

In Boston this fall, you won't need to keep up with your train ticket anymore -- as long as you don't leave your smartphone at home. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Masabi have joined forces to bring a rail ticketing to handheld devices via iPhone, Android and BlackBerry apps. Headquartered in London, Masabi has launched similar tech for transit companies in the UK, eliminating ticket lines for many smartphone-wielding passengers. Software will allow riders to purchase tickets and passes that are validated with a barcode scan by conductors equipped with mobile devices of their own. MBTA is looking to cut costs and provide added convenience with the new system instead of adding more ticketing kiosks to its stations. The aforementioned apps will be developed alongside focus groups and a small pilot group this summer with a full rollout to all MBTA customers expected to happen this fall. Looking for a bit more info? Hit the coverage and source links below to read on.

[Image credit: Masabi on Flickr]

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MBTA and Masabi team up for first smartphone rail ticketing system in the US, launching in Boston this fall originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.