Genfare has a legacy as a leader and innovator in the transportation industry throughout its long and successful existence. The company’s history stretches back to the 1880s with the invention of the first farebox. Over the years, Genfare has experienced a myriad of product releases, name changes, and headquarter changes but has remained the willing and caring innovator it has always been. With new goals and solutions, Genfare is ready to move forward and keep evolving as a leader in the transportation industry.
Johnson Farebox Founded
Tom Loftin Johnson revolutionizes the fare collection industry with his invention and introduction of the first mechanical farebox.
Johnson’s invention gives way to competition with Keene Farebox, Cleveland Farebox and Duncan Industries.
1930s – Johnson grows and Cleveland Farebox becomes part of Johnson. Johnson continues production of the Cleveland farebox.
1960s – Keene eventually aggregates Cleveland Farebox and Johnson Farebox and uses their farebox technology. Chicago Transit Authority requests that the Duncan Industries parking meter cashbox be engineered into a farebox for CTA buses.
1980s – GFI® is created under General Signal by past Duncan Industries employees and the beginnings of SPX Genfare are solidified with the innovation of the CentsaBill®, the oldest SPX Genfare product.
1990s – GFI becomes GFI Genfare to indicate that it is not just a farebox manufacturer but a fare solutions provider. GFI Genfare expands its products to the U.S. Postal Service and develops over 6,000 stamp vending machines, which later become the Vendstar® product line.
1998 – SPX integrates General Signal, putting GFI Genfare into its much larger industrial market.
GFI Genfare develops and releases Odyssey®, its current flagship product. It is a step forward in innovation as the farebox not only validates the inserted coins and bills as genuine but returns unacceptable coins and tokens along with support for newer digital fare media.
In 2005, GFI Genfare expands its services to multiple cities across the U.S.
GFI Genfare continues innovating and producing future-proof products with the Vendstar-2 and Vendstar-3 series ticket vending machines to improve sales functionality for tickets and passes.
GFI Genfare becomes SPX Genfare. Now part of SPX Corporation, Genfare releases Fast Fare® and e-Fare® pushing it forward as a continuous leader in the transportation industry.
Genfare expands its array of intelligent fare management solutions by releasing Genfare Mobile Link™, an easy-to-use rider-friendly fare program, and Genfare Link™, a cloud-based hosted backend, to ensure smooth operation for any agency.
During 2016, though still a part of the SPX family, the company changes name to Genfare.
Genfare moves into the newly built state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. The warehouse and factory are organized to allow production to flow easily from start to finished product to packaging to shipping.
In 2019, Eric Kaled is named president of Genfare. With his experience in international technology management helps Genfare continue to expand software solution offerings.
Though still a part of the SPX family, the company will be known simply as Genfare.
Genfare expands its array of intelligent fare solutions by releasing Mobile Link™, an easy-to-use mobile ticketing and payment app, and Genfare Link®, a cloud-based back end fare collection solution, to ensure smooth operation for any agency.
During the pandemic being able to accept contactless payment rose in priority. Implementations of Genfare Link increases – allowing agencies to accept open payment, smart card, or cash fare solutions.