Open-loop Pilot with Regional Transportation Commission (Nevada)

As transit agencies began exploring contactless and open-loop payment technologies, the challenge was not simply introducing a new way for riders to pay. A successful implementation required solutions that could securely process transactions, integrate with existing fare collection infrastructure, support agency operations, and maintain reliability in a public transportation environment.

In 2013, STraffic deployed an open payment platform for the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) in Nevada. At a time when contactless payment technology was still developing in the U.S. market, the project provided valuable experience in addressing the technical and operational challenges involved in implementing modern fare payment systems.

Introducing Contactless Payments to RTC’s CX Express Route

The system was implemented on RTC’s CX Express route:

• Route: 13-mile express service connecting Downtown Las Vegas and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)

• Daily Ridership: Approximately 1,000 riders

• Payment Method: Contactless open payment cards

• Users: Students, faculty, and general riders

  
  

At the time, contactless payment technology was still emerging in the U.S. transit market. Unlike traditional fare media, open-loop payments required coordination between transit operations and the broader payment ecosystem.

The implementation required addressing challenges related to:

• Transaction authentication

• Payment validation

• Risk management

• System reliability

• Integration with existing transit operations

Through collaboration with technology partners, including Mastercard, Samsung, and Sprint, STraffic developed a solution that enabled secure transaction processing while maintaining the convenience expected from contactless payments.

Developing a Platform Built for Transit Operations

A successful fare payment system must do more than process transactions. It must operate within the existing environment of a transit agency, integrate with established infrastructure, and provide the tools needed to support daily operations.

To achieve this, STraffic designed the platform around flexibility, reliability, and operational visibility.

Creating a Flexible Foundation for Integration

Transit agencies often operate with a combination of existing systems, infrastructure, and operational requirements. The platform was designed with a modular architecture to support integration with diverse legacy systems while allowing flexibility for future expansion.

Key capabilities included:

• Integration with existing transit infrastructure

• Real-time transaction processing and recording

• Centralized financial management for settlement and reporting requirements

  
  

This approach allowed the system to support not only payment acceptance, but also the operational processes required to manage a transit fare system.

Bringing New Technology into Existing Transit Systems

Introducing open payment technology into an active transit environment requires careful planning, coordination, and validation. STraffic conducted extensive integration efforts to ensure compatibility across the system environment, including:

• Coordination among multiple stakeholders

• Compatibility testing with existing systems

• Identification and resolution of technical issues

• Validation of system performance and reliability

Through this process, STraffic gained valuable experience in implementing new payment technology while maintaining the stability required for public transportation operations.

Building Security into Every Transaction

Security was a critical consideration throughout the development and implementation of the platform.

The system incorporated:

• Advanced encryption and security protocols

• Transaction protection measures

• Risk management processes

• Data protection capabilities

The system was designed to comply with applicable security and regulatory requirements, including Korea’s National Information and Communications Network Act and the Personal Information Protection Act.

Providing Agencies with Operational Visibility

Modern fare systems require more than transaction processing. Agencies also need access to information that helps manage operations, monitor performance, and support decision-making.

The platform provided tools for:

• Real-time data generation and management

• Multi-agency fare policy management

• Operational reporting

• Financial and compliance reporting

By combining payment processing with operational management capabilities, the system provided agencies with greater visibility into fare activity and overall system performance.

Demonstrating the Value of Real-World Deployment Experience

The RTC deployment demonstrated that open-loop payments could be successfully implemented within an active transit environment while meeting requirements for security, reliability, and financial accountability.

The project delivered several important outcomes:

Improved Operational Efficiency

Real-time transaction processing provided faster access to payment data and improved visibility into system activity, supporting more efficient fare system management.

Financial Accountability

Centralized financial management supported accurate settlement processes and improved transparency while meeting government reporting requirements.

Secure and Reliable Payment Processing

Through encryption, transaction validation, and risk management processes, the platform provided a secure environment for contactless payment transactions.

Successful System Integration

The project highlighted the importance of detailed planning, stakeholder coordination, and extensive testing when introducing new technology into existing transit environments.

Beyond the deployment itself, the experience gained through the project provided valuable insight into the requirements of modern fare collection systems.

Experience That Continues to Shape Transit Innovation

The RTC deployment represented more than the implementation of a new payment platform. It demonstrated the importance of balancing emerging technology with the practical requirements of public transportation.

The challenges addressed during the project — including system integration, payment security, operational management, and transaction reliability — continue to influence transit fare modernization today.

Through years of continued development and deployment experience, STraffic has continued refining its approach to transit payment technology across different transportation environments. The lessons learned from early open payment implementations remain central to the company’s work, informing the development of solutions designed around real-world transit operations.

This experience continues to shape OpenFare, reflecting STraffic’s focus on building secure, flexible, and scalable fare payment technology based on practical implementation experience.