When it comes to fare systems, large public transit agencies continue to push the envelope by using technologies ranging from mobile ticketing to accounted-based applications using enhanced smart card systems to even futuristic NFC-enabled payment systems, says Kim Green, executive director for Genfare. The Chicago Transit Authority is one such early adopter of an open payment operation, with its Ventra fare payment system. The agency, along with Pace Suburban Bus, transitioned to an open contactless fare payment system — implemented by Cubic Transportation Systems — in 2014. Late last year, the Chicago-area agencies, including Metra, launched the Ventra app — the first of its kind to allow customers to use mobile ticketing to pay for rides on all three transit systems from their mobile devices. (full article)