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CityLink explores tap-and-go payments, reports ridership gains and 88.6% on-time performance
Summary
A CityLink representative told Abilene’s Mayor’s Advisory Board that the transit agency is pursuing a contactless 'tap-and-go' payment option and evaluating kiosk costs; the agency reported ridership and on-time performance improvements and said a rollout could be possible in June if approvals proceed.
A CityLink representative told the Mayor’s Advisory Board for People with Disabilities that the transit agency is pursuing new payment options, including a contactless tap-and-go system and kiosks, and that a public rollout could be possible in June if vendor quotes and internal approvals align.
The CityLink representative said initial kiosk quotes from one vendor were "astronomical," describing them as "well over the 6 figure number," and that the agency is seeking a third vendor that can integrate with existing systems to reduce costs. "I'm looking to minimize the ask so that I think it would be beneficial to everybody," the representative said.
The official also gave a monthly operations update, reporting that BA1 trips rose from 2,647 to 2,770 and BA2 trips rose from 39 to 95; total trips increased from about 2,800 to 3,001. The representative highlighted an on-time performance (OTP) rate of 88.6% and called that a notable improvement: "It rose by 10%... That is a huge percentage to rise in the last 90 days." The speaker credited operators and staff for the improvement.
Board members asked for clarification about payment types and timelines. The CityLink representative said kiosks at two locations produced very high quotes, so the agency has focused on a card/tap-based system that can "talk to both the other two technologies" already in use; the representative estimated implementation typically takes 120 days but said prior experience with the technology on one of the agency’s ZIP-zone systems could shorten that time. "If everything goes according to plan, then it would be in June," the representative said.
A resident who uses paratransit praised recent punctuality improvements and asked about user-facing tools for real-time vehicle locations. The CityLink representative said the agency is piloting a newer application intended to provide faster, more precise live tracking and that the public would see expanded features at the center before a wider June rollout.
The board did not take a formal vote on procurement or funding at the meeting; the representative said further internal approvals would be required before the agency could present a final request to city leadership.
