From d7e0a18113d43ec1fe025baa956daac8720c05d1 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Machiko Yasuda Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2023 23:32:38 +0000 Subject: [PATCH 1/4] feat(press): add FirstNet press release as HTML --- .../cal-itp-first-net-cellular-plans.md | 117 ++++++++++++++++++ ...lans-now-available-mobility-marketplace.md | 8 -- 2 files changed, 117 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-) create mode 100644 src/_press/cal-itp-first-net-cellular-plans.md delete mode 100644 src/_press/discounted-cellular-plans-now-available-mobility-marketplace.md diff --git a/src/_press/cal-itp-first-net-cellular-plans.md b/src/_press/cal-itp-first-net-cellular-plans.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..fe0621bd --- /dev/null +++ b/src/_press/cal-itp-first-net-cellular-plans.md @@ -0,0 +1,117 @@ +--- +date: "2022-11-3T17:00:00-07:00" +title: Discounted cellular data plans now available for U.S. public transportation providers via California Mobility Marketplace +heading: |- + Discounted cellular data plans now available for U.S. public transportation providers via California Mobility Marketplace +lead: |- + Caltrans’ Cal-ITP negotiates below-market rates for wider coverage areas and offers grant-based subsidies to state transit agencies via California Mobility Marketplace +intro: |- + Whether accepting customers’ mobile wallets for fare payments or sharing the live location of a bus, public transportation providers are using more technology and internet-connected devices to improve the rider experience. To match this need for cellular data, Caltrans’ California Integrated Travel Project (Cal-ITP) negotiated below-market rates for data-only plans that can be tapped by transit agencies—in California and throughout the U.S. California transit agencies can also access even lower payments through state subsidies by reaching out to Cal-ITP for technical support. +tags: + - Data Plans +outlet: "Cal-ITP" +--- + +## Increased coverage at lower monthly rates + +These specialized plans run on [FirstNet](https://www.camobilitymarketplace.org/contracts/view?contracts-filter-product=Data%20Plans), the U.S. government’s dedicated first- +responder network, with connectivity provided by AT&T. FirstNet receives federal +funding to provide coverage not only in areas of customer demand but also in remote +locations where emergency services may need to operate. In California, this means +covering rural areas that often lack a commercial cellular network. Coverage can be +viewed on [FirstNet’s website](https://www.firstnet.com/coverage.html). + +“Cal-ITP worked directly with FirstNet to ensure that contracting is as easy as possible, lowering barriers and price points for all U.S. transit agencies,” said Gillian Gillett, who leads [Cal-ITP](https://www.calitp.org/), which aims to make riding by bus and rail simpler and more cost-effective by standardizing trip-planning information and modernizing fare collection systems. “We’re excited about helping rural agencies gain access to cell service in areas where commercial plans don’t offer coverage and about being able to subsidize the plan pricing when California agencies reach out to Cal-ITP for technical support.” + +The FirstNet plans are available via Cal-ITP’s [California Mobility Marketplace](https://www.camobilitymarketplace.org/contracts/?utm_source=FirstNet+PR&utm_medium=Press+Release) and are +tiered in three cellular data levels to accommodate transit providers’ varying needs: + +- **1GB**: will support General Transit Feed Specification Realtime (GTFS-RT)—the + global standard for providing up-to-date transit information. +- **3GB**: will support GTFS-RT and two contactless fare payment validators. +- **Unlimited**: will support any cellular data–connected devices\* used in transit + operations. With this plan, transit agencies will be able to afford the data plans + necessary to continue bringing the best service to their riders into the future. + +_(\* None of these plans includes customer WiFi, as only transit operational needs qualify for the first-responder network. If customer-facing WiFi is desired, commercial plans through CALNET are also available on the [California Mobility Marketplace](https://www.camobilitymarketplace.org/contracts/).)_ + +The monthly pricing for each of these FirstNet plans is based on which data level an +agency selects as well as the cumulative total number of SIMs (subscriber identity +modules, the smart cards that store identification information to pinpoint a device to a specific mobile network) purchased via FirstNet nationwide: + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Tier
# of SIMs		Tier 1
(< 2,999 SIMs)		Tier 2
(3,000-9,999 SIMs)		Tier 3
(> 10,000 SIMs)
1GB Plan
(monthly cost per SIM)		$10.00$7.50$4.99
3GB Plan
(monthly cost per SIM)		$25.00$20.00$14.99
Unlimited Plan
(monthly cost per SIM)		$35.00$35.00$29.99
+ +## Subsidized pricing for a limited time + +To make it even more cost effective for California transit agencies to climb aboard a +FirstNet contract, the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA)—as the fiscal +sponsor of Cal-ITP—is using state funding to support subsidies to the lowest-tier +FirstNet price. Cal-ITP plans to subsidize the first 2,999 SIM purchases to Tier 3 pricing, through at least June 30, 2023. + +With a cellular data plan, transit agencies can operate technology such as: + +- Router +- CAD/AVL (Computer-Aided Dispatch / Automatic Vehicle Location) +- Camera feeds +- GTFS devices +- Fare payment validators +- … and more! + +An agency’s technology can be connected through multiple SIMs (one per device) or a +single SIM (one in a router): + +- **Multiple SIMs**: Each device could be powered by a SIM that connects to the network. These SIMs would have smaller data plans. +- **Single SIM**: A single router could provide connectivity to multiple devices. The router’s SIM would need a larger data plan. + +## Tap these rates—and Cal-ITP’s free technical support + +To access these rates and potentially apply Cal-ITP’s funding, email [hello@calitp.org](mailto:hello@calitp.org) to get started. The Cal-ITP team is happy to answer questions and provide free technical support through the process. + +If you have additional questions about FirstNet coverage or its SIM management +platform, please connect with Ryley Krausen at AT&T Advanced Mobility Solutions: +[rk091r@att.com](mailto:rk091r@att.com). + +## More about Cal-ITP + +The California Integrated Travel Project (Cal-ITP) was established by the California +State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and California Department of Transportation +(Caltrans) to both improve and encourage the use of multimodal travel throughout +California—by enabling contactless open-loop payments, standardizing information for +easy multimodal trip planning, and automating customer discounts ([Cal-ITP Benefits](https://www.calitp.org/press/cal-itp-benefits-launch)). +Over the past year, Cal-ITP successfully led contactless open-loop payment +implementations in California on Monterey-Salinas and Santa Barbara buses; +Sacramento light rail; on-demand transit vans in San Diego; and LAX’s FlyAway bus, +which connects airport passengers to commuter rail. + +Learn more at [calitp.org](https://calitp.org) and on [@California_ITP](https://twitter.com/california_itp?utm_source=FirstNet+PR&utm_medium=Press+Release) on Twitter, or by subscribing to the +[Caltrans Mobility Newsletter](https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/eLbtFoE/calitp?FNPR=&utm_source=FirstNet+PR&utm_medium=Press+Release). And visit Cal-ITP’s [CAMobilityMarketplace.org](camobilitymarketplace.org/) for a +catalog of code-compliant products and services for public mobility providers, including contactless payment acceptance hardware and software. Agencies that would like to tap Cal-ITP’s technical assistance can indicate interest via this [Cal-ITP Support Request Form](https://www.camobilitymarketplace.org/contact) or by reaching out to [hello@calitp.org](mailto:hello@calitp.org). diff --git a/src/_press/discounted-cellular-plans-now-available-mobility-marketplace.md b/src/_press/discounted-cellular-plans-now-available-mobility-marketplace.md deleted file mode 100644 index a2ac4e37..00000000 --- a/src/_press/discounted-cellular-plans-now-available-mobility-marketplace.md +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8 +0,0 @@ ---- -date: "2022-11-03T17:00:00-07:00" -title: Discounted cellular data plans now available for U.S. public transportation providers via California Mobility Marketplace -external: https://www.calitp.org/assets/Cal-ITP.FirstNet.PressRelease.221103.pdf -tags: - - Data Plans -outlet: "Cal-ITP" ---- From da1c33739bb67291ae0c5d37632f455d7d137924 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Machiko Yasuda Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2023 23:40:20 +0000 Subject: [PATCH 2/4] feat(press): add MSA as HTML --- src/_press/cal-itp-dgs-rfp-msa.md | 31 +++++++++++++++++++ ...agencies-across-us-to-quickly-modernize.md | 8 ----- 2 files changed, 31 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-) create mode 100644 src/_press/cal-itp-dgs-rfp-msa.md delete mode 100644 src/_press/california-purchasing-agreements-allow-public-transit-agencies-across-us-to-quickly-modernize.md diff --git a/src/_press/cal-itp-dgs-rfp-msa.md b/src/_press/cal-itp-dgs-rfp-msa.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..9c3f0134 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/_press/cal-itp-dgs-rfp-msa.md @@ -0,0 +1,31 @@ +--- +date: "2022-03-9T17:00:00-07:00" +title: State of California’s purchasing agreements allow public transit agencies across U.S. to skip procurement and quickly modernize fare collection systems +heading: |- + State of California’s purchasing agreements allow public transit agencies across U.S. to skip procurement and quickly modernize fare collection systems +intro: |- + California is making it easier and more affordable for public transportation providers anywhere in the U.S. to acquire the tools to allow riders a convenient option to pay their fare using a contactless credit/debit/prepaid card or mobile wallet on a smart device. +tags: + - Contactless Payment +outlet: "Cal-ITP" +--- + +The California Department of General Services (DGS), in collaboration with the California Integrated Travel Project ([Cal-ITP](https://www.calitp.org/)), conducted a Request for Proposal that established six Master Service Agreements (MSAs) allowing public transportation providers to purchase directly from vendors without further competitive bidding. + +Agencies throughout the U.S. can take advantage of the MSAs to purchase the key hardware and software needed to accept contactless payments. + +“Open-loop contactless fare payments that accept contactless bank cards and mobile wallets are proven to lower expenses and will increase ridership, and California is streamlining the process for transit providers all over the country to make implementing the system as simple as tapping to pay,” said Monterey-Salinas Transit General Manager/CEO Carl Sedoryk. + +The building blocks to launch contactless fare payment systems are available from six different vendors via the [DGS Cal eProcure website](https://caleprocure.ca.gov/pages/LPASearch/lpa-search.aspx) and the [California Mobility Marketplace](https://www.camobilitymarketplace.org/contracts/): + +- Payment Acceptance Devices (PADs), including validators for buses, trains, and light rail, allowing customers to pay with contactless credit/debit/prepaid cards and mobile wallets on smart devices; and +- Transit Processor Services, the fare calculation and processing software that charges the correct fare when a rider taps to pay, including the ability to offer fare capping. + +“Simplifying the payment options for public transportation not only adds convenience, but it can help increase ridership, which supports California’s goals to reduce carbon emissions,” said DGS Director Ana M. Lasso. “DGS is proud to play a part in broadening access to public transportation across the country by utilizing its purchasing power for local governments.” + +More information about the benefits of offering open-loop contactless fare payments is available on the [California Mobility Marketplace](https://www.camobilitymarketplace.org/go-contactless), which is managed by Cal-ITP. Supported by the California State Transportation Agency, Cal-ITP is a Caltrans-led statewide solution to make travel planning and payments simpler and more cost-effective for transit providers and riders. Through Cal-ITP, numerous +transportation providers in California—including Monterey Salinas-Transit, Sacramento Regional Transit light rail, Clean Air Express, and Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District—have launched successful contactless payment demonstrations. + +To make the transition to contactless fare collection as easy and cost-effective as possible, Cal-ITP provides extensive support to transit agencies. Agencies that would like to take advantage of Cal-ITP’s technical assistance can indicate interest via this [Cal-ITP Support Request Form: bit.ly/Cal-ITPsupport](bit.ly/Cal-ITPsupport). + +For more information, email [hello@calitp.org](mailto:hello@calitp.org). diff --git a/src/_press/california-purchasing-agreements-allow-public-transit-agencies-across-us-to-quickly-modernize.md b/src/_press/california-purchasing-agreements-allow-public-transit-agencies-across-us-to-quickly-modernize.md deleted file mode 100644 index a5e636dd..00000000 --- a/src/_press/california-purchasing-agreements-allow-public-transit-agencies-across-us-to-quickly-modernize.md +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8 +0,0 @@ ---- -date: "2022-03-09T17:00:00-07:00" -title: State of California's purchasing agreements allow public transit agencies across U.S. to skip procurement and quickly modernize fare collection systems -external: https://www.calitp.org/assets/Contactless.Payments.MSA.pdf -tags: - - Contactless Payments -outlet: "Cal-ITP" ---- From d9b7c075164650d5ecc1cd00d1d957151db4f1ad Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Machiko Yasuda Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2023 23:58:23 +0000 Subject: [PATCH 3/4] feat(press): add ValleyCAN press release as HTML --- ...adable-contactless-low-income-ev-owners.md | 8 - ...leycan-preloaded-reloadable-ev-charging.md | 143 ++++++++++++++++++ 2 files changed, 143 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-) delete mode 100644 src/_press/california-valley-can-preloaded-reloadable-contactless-low-income-ev-owners.md create mode 100644 src/_press/valleycan-preloaded-reloadable-ev-charging.md diff --git a/src/_press/california-valley-can-preloaded-reloadable-contactless-low-income-ev-owners.md b/src/_press/california-valley-can-preloaded-reloadable-contactless-low-income-ev-owners.md deleted file mode 100644 index 654e2174..00000000 --- a/src/_press/california-valley-can-preloaded-reloadable-contactless-low-income-ev-owners.md +++ /dev/null @@ -1,8 +0,0 @@ ---- -date: "2022-08-14T17:00:00-07:00" -title: State of California and Valley CAN issue preloaded, reloadable contactless debit cards for low-income EV owners to use at any charging station -external: https://valleycan.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ValleyCAN_PR_080122_Final.pdf -tags: - - Contactless Payments -outlet: "Cal-ITP" ---- diff --git a/src/_press/valleycan-preloaded-reloadable-ev-charging.md b/src/_press/valleycan-preloaded-reloadable-ev-charging.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..df278cd7 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/_press/valleycan-preloaded-reloadable-ev-charging.md @@ -0,0 +1,143 @@ +--- +date: "2022-08-1T17:00:00-07:00" +title: Valley CAN and the State of California issue preloaded, reloadable contactless debit cards for low-income EV owners to use at any charging station +heading: |- + Valley CAN and the State of California issue preloaded, reloadable contactless debit cards for low-income EV owners to use at any charging station +intro: |- + One hundred low-income electric vehicle (EV) owners in the San Joaquin Valley are receiving reloadable contactless debit cards to use at EV charging stations as part of a demonstration project launched today by Valley Clean Air Now (Valley CAN) and the State of California. +tags: + - Contactless Payments +outlet: "Cal-ITP" +--- + +Funded by the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), +this nine-month Universal ZEV (Zero-Emission Vehicle) Equity Charging Card demonstration +project plans to increase equitable access to EV charging stations and help remove barriers to +EV ownership while building off the efforts of Valley CAN, a non-profit organization that works to +improve air quality and quality of life in disadvantaged communities in the San Joaquin Valley, +stretching from Lodi to Bakersfield. + +“Valley CAN is committed to reducing carbon emissions in our region, which has some of the +worst air quality in the United States,” says Tom Knox, Executive Director of Valley CAN. “We +know the average EV driver saves money by driving electric, from lower fuel costs to lower +repair and maintenance costs. But not everyone can install a charging station at home. Helping +our EV-owning low-income residents access the public EV charging infrastructure with a prepaid +contactless debit card is an equitable way to ensure the success of Drive Clean in the San +Joaquin and Clean Cars 4 All.” + +The initial participants purchased their EV through the Valley Air District’s [Drive Clean in the +San Joaquin](https://ww2.valleyair.org/grants/drive-clean-in-the-san-joaquin/) vehicle replacement program and qualify for the state’s $1,000 EV public charging +credit—funds that could be used for installing a residential charger or for using public charging +stations, but only if a participant has a contactless bank card that works at any charging station. +Valley CAN is sending each participant a Mastercard debit card—preloaded with $50 in +charging credit—issued by Prepaid Technologies. Each card is reloaded with an additional $50 +per week, up to a total of $1,000 in benefits, and carries a maximum balance of $250 at any +time. + +“The Universal ZEV Equity Charging Card demonstration project bridges the equity gap, +enabling participants to have more choice and convenience in how they receive their state +benefits as an EV owner,” says Gia Vacin, Assistant Deputy Director of ZEV Market +Development with GO-Biz. “Each EV helps us reach the state’s goals of 5 million ZEVs on +California roads by 2030 and 100% of new cars sales by 2035; a healthy, equitable used ZEV +market is also key to achieving these.” + +As the implementing agency of the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB’s) successful Clean +Cars 4 All initiative to take older gas-powered vehicles off the road, the Valley Air District works +with program administrator Valley CAN to match low-income residents with up to $9,500 toward +the purchase of a used plug-in battery electric vehicle (BEV) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle +(PHEV). To qualify for Clean Cars for All, an applicant’s household income must be at or below +400% of federal poverty level. + +Drive Clean in the San Joaquin is one program under the state’s Clean Cars 4 All program. +Clean Cars 4 All is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions +of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the +economy and improving public health and the environment, and providing meaningful benefits to +the most disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households. +Caltrans’ California Integrated Travel Project (Cal-ITP)—a statewide initiative to ensure that all +Californians have access to mobility options and a contactless open-loop way to pay for them +using a credit or debit card or mobile wallet—serves as project manager for this demonstration, +having successfully led contactless open-loop payment demonstrations with public transit +agencies in Monterey-Salinas, Sacramento, and Santa Barbara County. + +The contactless debit cards help fill a gap for the more than a quarter of Californians who do not +have a bank account (unbanked) or do not regularly use checks, debit, or credit cards for +purchases (underbanked)—and would have no easy way to pay at EV charging stations. In +2019, 7% of California residents were estimated to be unbanked and 19% were estimated to be +underbanked, statistics that mirror the national average of 25% of U.S. residents being +unbanked or underbanked. Cal-ITP has been developing an approach to providing payment +accounts to underbanked and unbanked Californians, effectively using the need to pay for EV +charging as well as public transit as a catalyst for addressing financial inclusion in low-income +and other target communities. + +“As the state transitions to more secure contactless payment technologies, it is important that +access and support during this transition is equitable. Our goal is to unlock this market, helping +set the standard that contactless bank cards can be the payment method for all, including 10.3 +million unbanked and underbanked California residents,” says Caltrans California Integrated +Mobility Program Manager Gillian Gillett, who leads Cal-ITP. “The demand and the need are +evident, and we’re excited to be working with payment solutions program managers and +financial services companies to meet these needs for all Californians.” + +“At Prepaid Technologies, we’re focused on helping our customers solve their payments +challenges,” said Stephen Faust, CEO, Prepaid Technologies. “We’re proud to partner with +Mastercard to provide Valley CAN a financially inclusive, contactless payment solution for these +EV owners.” + +Funding for this project is a part of the state’s $5 million investment from the 2021–’22 budget +meant to accelerate implementation of the ZEV Market Development Strategy, which focuses +on increasing awareness and access to ZEVs in the hardest to reach communities and +expanding tools that help convert this awareness into decisions to drive or ride in ZEVs. In total, +California is investing more than $10 billon to expand ZEV access and affordability and support +the build-out of infrastructure across the state. + +For more information about this demonstration project, contact [Alexander.Guendulain@valleycan.org](mailto:Alexander.Guendulain@valleycan.org). + +About this demonstration project’s stakeholders + +**Valley CAN** + +Valley Clean Air Now (Valley CAN), is a 501(c)(3) public charity committed to quantifiably +reducing air emissions in California’s San Joaquin Valley, an eight-county region with the worst +air quality in the United States. Valley CAN seeks to improve public health and quality of life in +disadvantaged communities by qualifying low-income residents for multiple incentive-based +programs, including vehicle repair and replacement programs that aim to reduce air pollution, +address climate issues, and reduce transportation costs. In 10 years, Valley CAN has helped +110,000 valley families repair and replace cars. + +[valleycan.org](valleycan.org) + +**GO-Biz** + +The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) serves as the State of +California’s leader for job growth, economic development, and business assistance efforts. GO- +Biz has a team dedicated to cultivating opportunities that accelerate zero-emission vehicle +(ZEV) market growth to meet the state’s ambitious climate goals and deliver benefits to all +Californians. You can follow the GO-Biz ZEV team’s efforts by [subscribing to their newsletter](https://business.ca.gov/zev-newsletter-sign-up/), +following [@CAGoBiz](https://twitter.com/cagobiz) on Twitter, and searching for #GOBiz across social media platforms. + +[business.ca.gov/zev](business.ca.gov/zev) + +**CARB** + +The mission of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is to promote and protect public +health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while +recognizing and considering effects on the economy. CARB is the lead agency for climate +change programs and oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain +health-based air quality standards. Learn more about [Clean Cars 4 All](https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/clean-cars-4-all) and [California Climate Investments](https://www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov/). + +**Cal-ITP** + +The California Integrated Travel Project (Cal-ITP) was established by the California State +Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to both +improve and encourage the use of multimodal travel throughout California—by enabling +contactless open-loop payments, automating customer discounts, and standardizing information +for easy multimodal trip planning. Learn more at [calitp.org](https://www.calitp.org/) and on [@California_ITP](https://twitter.com/california_itp) on Twitter, +or by subscribing to the [Caltrans Mobility Newsletter](https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/eLbtFoE/calitp?VCPR). And visit Cal-ITP's +[CAMobilityMarketplace.org](https://www.camobilitymarketplace.org/) for a catalog of code-compliant products and services for public +mobility providers, including contactless payment acceptance hardware and software. + +**Prepaid Technologies** +Founded and based in Birmingham, Alabama, Prepaid Technologies is a fintech solution and +payments program manager with thousands of customers, providing innovative digital payment +solutions, driven by a proprietary technology stack, including payroll, expense, gift, reward, and +incentive card products to employers, financial institutions, and government agencies. Prepaid +Technologies goes to market under the product suite name of Dash. Learn more at [in-prepaid.com](https://dashsolutions.com/). From 53aa70244d2b8a75afa87f5cd9021ff0322ac43a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Machiko Yasuda Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2023 00:03:39 +0000 Subject: [PATCH 4/4] fix(press): correct back links --- src/_press/cal-itp-coast-rta-msa.md | 2 +- ...nt-systems-off-of-californias-purchasing-agreements.md | 4 ++-- src/_press/valleycan-preloaded-reloadable-ev-charging.md | 8 ++------ 3 files changed, 5 insertions(+), 9 deletions(-) diff --git a/src/_press/cal-itp-coast-rta-msa.md b/src/_press/cal-itp-coast-rta-msa.md index d80e0a57..beafc2dc 100644 --- a/src/_press/cal-itp-coast-rta-msa.md +++ b/src/_press/cal-itp-coast-rta-msa.md @@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ outlet: "Cal-ITP" Cal-ITP—Caltrans’ California Integrated Travel Project—supported Coast RTA through the process of purchasing open-loop payment acceptance devices and fare calculation software from the State of California’s competitively awarded -[Master Service Agreements](https://www.calitp.org/assets/Contactless.Payments.MSA.pdf?utm_source=Coast+RTA+Press+Release&utm_medium=pr+email+social) (MSAs), +[Master Service Agreements](/press/cal-itp-dgs-rfp-msa?utm_source=Coast+RTA+Press+Release&utm_medium=pr+email+social) (MSAs), contracts that allow U.S. transit agencies to purchase hardware and software services directly from vendors without further competitive bidding. diff --git a/src/_press/four-northern-california-transit-agencies-join-forces-to-buy-contactless-open-loop-fare-payment-systems-off-of-californias-purchasing-agreements.md b/src/_press/four-northern-california-transit-agencies-join-forces-to-buy-contactless-open-loop-fare-payment-systems-off-of-californias-purchasing-agreements.md index dfd996f3..385f549a 100644 --- a/src/_press/four-northern-california-transit-agencies-join-forces-to-buy-contactless-open-loop-fare-payment-systems-off-of-californias-purchasing-agreements.md +++ b/src/_press/four-northern-california-transit-agencies-join-forces-to-buy-contactless-open-loop-fare-payment-systems-off-of-californias-purchasing-agreements.md @@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ outlet: "Cal-ITP" Humboldt Transit Authority, Lake Transit Authority, Mendocino Transit Authority, and Redwood Coast Transit Authority—collectively part of North State Super Region working group, also known as the Far North Group—are the first group of agencies to band together to use the State of California’s competitively priced contracts to purchase and install the hardware and software services needed for accepting customers’ debit and credit cards and mobile wallets for fare payments. -Cal-ITP—Caltrans’ California Integrated Travel Project—supported the agencies through the process of purchasing open-loop payment acceptance devices and fare calculation software from the State of California’s competitively awarded [Master Service Agreements](https://www.calitp.org/assets/Contactless.Payments.MSA.pdf?utm_source=Press+Release&utm_medium=Website&utm_id=FNG) (MSAs), contracts that allow U.S. transit agencies to purchase directly from vendors without further competitive bidding. +Cal-ITP—Caltrans’ California Integrated Travel Project—supported the agencies through the process of purchasing open-loop payment acceptance devices and fare calculation software from the State of California’s competitively awarded [Master Service Agreements](/press/cal-itp-dgs-rfp-msa?utm_source=Press+Release&utm_medium=Website&utm_id=FNG) (MSAs), contracts that allow U.S. transit agencies to purchase directly from vendors without further competitive bidding. “We’re excited to offer contactless fare payment to the riders in our region, to make it easy for customers to choose public transportation and pay for bus rides the same way they do for other everyday purchases,” says Greg Pratt, General Manager of Humboldt Transit Authority. “California’s MSAs and Cal-ITP’s free technical support helped us save the hassle and expense of running our own procurement while modernizing our fare systems with contactless hardware and fare-calculation and payment-processing software services. And by purchasing together from the MSAs, we were able to take advantage of bulk-buy cost savings.” @@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ In addition to enabling riders to tap to pay on fixed-route buses, the agencies ## About Cal-ITP -The California Integrated Travel Project (Cal-ITP) was established by the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to both improve and encourage the use of multimodal travel throughout California—by enabling contactless open-loop payments, standardizing information for easy multimodal trip planning, and automating customer discounts ([Cal-ITP Benefits](https://www.calitp.org/assets/Cal-ITP.Benefits.PressRelease.220921.pdf?utm_source=Press+Release&utm_medium=Website&utm_id=FNG)). Over the past two years, Cal-ITP successfully led contactless open-loop contactless payment implementations in California on Monterey-Salinas and Santa Barbara buses; Sacramento light rail; intercity passenger rail between Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area; on-demand transit vans; and LAX’s FlyAway bus, which connects airport passengers to commuter rail. +The California Integrated Travel Project (Cal-ITP) was established by the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to both improve and encourage the use of multimodal travel throughout California—by enabling contactless open-loop payments, standardizing information for easy multimodal trip planning, and automating customer discounts ([Cal-ITP Benefits](/press/cal-itp-benefits-launch?utm_source=Press+Release&utm_medium=Website&utm_id=FNG)). Over the past two years, Cal-ITP successfully led contactless open-loop contactless payment implementations in California on Monterey-Salinas and Santa Barbara buses; Sacramento light rail; intercity passenger rail between Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area; on-demand transit vans; and LAX’s FlyAway bus, which connects airport passengers to commuter rail. Learn more at [calitp.org](https://www.calitp.org/?utm_source=Press+Release&utm_medium=Website&utm_id=FNG) and on [@California_ITP](https://twitter.com/california_itp?utm_source=Press+Release&utm_medium=Website&utm_id=FNG) on Twitter, or by subscribing to the [Caltrans Mobility Newsletter](https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/eLbtFoE/calitp?utm_source=Press+Release&utm_medium=Website&utm_id=FNG). And visit Cal-ITP’s [CAMobilityMarketplace.org](https://www.camobilitymarketplace.org/?utm_source=Press+Release&utm_medium=Website&utm_id=FNG) for a catalog of code-compliant products and services for public mobility providers, including contactless payment acceptance hardware and software and competitively priced cellular data plans. diff --git a/src/_press/valleycan-preloaded-reloadable-ev-charging.md b/src/_press/valleycan-preloaded-reloadable-ev-charging.md index df278cd7..175883cc 100644 --- a/src/_press/valleycan-preloaded-reloadable-ev-charging.md +++ b/src/_press/valleycan-preloaded-reloadable-ev-charging.md @@ -101,9 +101,7 @@ air quality in the United States. Valley CAN seeks to improve public health and disadvantaged communities by qualifying low-income residents for multiple incentive-based programs, including vehicle repair and replacement programs that aim to reduce air pollution, address climate issues, and reduce transportation costs. In 10 years, Valley CAN has helped -110,000 valley families repair and replace cars. - -[valleycan.org](valleycan.org) +110,000 valley families repair and replace cars. [valleycan.org](valleycan.org) **GO-Biz** @@ -112,9 +110,7 @@ California’s leader for job growth, economic development, and business assista Biz has a team dedicated to cultivating opportunities that accelerate zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) market growth to meet the state’s ambitious climate goals and deliver benefits to all Californians. You can follow the GO-Biz ZEV team’s efforts by [subscribing to their newsletter](https://business.ca.gov/zev-newsletter-sign-up/), -following [@CAGoBiz](https://twitter.com/cagobiz) on Twitter, and searching for #GOBiz across social media platforms. - -[business.ca.gov/zev](business.ca.gov/zev) +following [@CAGoBiz](https://twitter.com/cagobiz) on Twitter, and searching for #GOBiz across social media platforms. [business.ca.gov/zev](business.ca.gov/zev) **CARB**