The Summit coincided with the Utah Transit Authority’s launch of its contactless electronic fare collection system, where it will accept contactless third party paid passes and contactless credit and debit cards from American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. MTA New York City Transit is collaborating with the New York Port Authority, New Jersey Transit, and the Port Authority Trans-Hudson on the second phase of its open payment system pilot where all types of contactless payment cards will be accepted, NYCT’s Steve Frazzini told attendees.

Jerry Kane of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority in Philadelphia and Jenny Sirnio of SunTran in Tucson spoke of their plans for contactless fare collection systems.

Los Angeles Metro’s Jane Matsumoto described the city’s pilot that allows passengers to use a Visa prepaid contactless payment card, called the TAP card, to reach the under- or un-banked transit riders in Los Angeles. This dual application debit card can be used for both transit and retail.

“We are seeing more transit agencies understanding the security and convenience that accepting contactless credit and debit cards directly as fare payment brings to travelers, as evidenced by the presentations we heard at the Summit,” said new Council Chair Craig Roberts, Utah Transit Authority. “These kinds of open transit fare collection systems that integrate payment and transit systems are paving the way for new kinds of technologies.”

The Transportation Council is made up of 130 individuals from 56 organizations. Besides Roberts, other officers elected for the coming year include Kane, SEPTA, vice chair, transit and Ian Newberg, Parkeon, vice chair, parking.