Jonesboro committee forwards Cubic fare-platform agreement and hears transit upgrades update

The Jonesboro Public Services Committee voted to forward Resolution 26014 to the full City Council, authorizing the city to enter a platform-service agreement with Cubic Transportation Systems Inc. to modernize fare collection.

Chair introduced the resolution and asked Lee to summarize the proposal. Lee said the system would allow riders to pay fares on buses with credit and debit cards, tap-to-pay and phone payments, and would support refillable, reusable fare cards that retail locations could load. "This is a way for us to be able to collect fares in the buses with credit card, debit card, tap to pay, phone payments," Lee said.

Lee described retail reload options so a rider could add value at stores rather than depending solely on agency sales. When asked whether the agency had ridership projections tied to the new payment options, Lee said no formal projections were available but suggested the convenience features could attract occasional riders and visitors.

Member 4 raised a concern about costs cited in the RFP, noting the reloadable cards were listed at roughly $14.15 each and asking how the city would address replacement and fee schedules. Lee said the agency had reviewed peer practices and planned to set fees and replacement policies during implementation; he also noted that current single-use proprietary tickets are ordered in large batches and are relatively expensive to produce.

Committee members deferred discussion of a separate mobile-payment app until Lee's report later in the meeting. In that report Lee said the agency is beta-testing an app that offers trip planning and estimated arrival times and will provide live updates to mapping services. "We've been working towards it... we are currently in the beta process," Lee said.

Lee also updated the committee on other operational projects: 28 of 45 bus shelters have been installed, concrete work is underway to meet ADA standards at remaining stops, and staff expect to increase staffing to resume five regular routes and two trolley routes with service roughly from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Lee described a vendor tracking system that will provide real-time vehicle locations, on-board enunciators and internal messaging, and noted message boards will be installed at the transfer center and some shelters to show arrival times.

Member 5 moved to forward Resolution 26014 to the full City Council; Member 4 seconded. Chair called for an aye vote and at least two members verbally responded "Aye," and the motion was forwarded to council for final consideration.

The committee did not take final action on the operational items beyond the report. The resolution will be considered at a forthcoming City Council meeting for final approval.