Client: Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)

Beneficiary: Metrobus

 

Mexico City’s BRT, Metrobus, has seven lines. In 2020, each line had a different automated fare collection (AFC) provider. Also, the AFC supply and maintenance contracts for lines 1, 2 and 3 were nearing their expiration dates. These three lines had 117 stations and a total length of 67 km, and they carried approximately 420,000 passengers per day in 2019. The public institution that manages the BRT, also called Metrobus, sought to implement a new AFC system for lines 1, 2 and 3, with additional functionalities and lower operating costs. They wished to improve the passenger experience and streamline operational processes.

 

The IADB hired GSD+ to support Metrobus in achieving their goals. The consulting team worked with the client on the design of a modern AFC system based on the existing smart card and contactless bank cards. The former is known as the Integrated Mobility Card. It was introduced in 2005 and it offers interoperability between the following public transport systems: metro, BRT, light rail, cable car, trolleybuses, Ecobici (bicycle sharing system), and the bus services run by the Mexico City government.

 

Based on the existence of the Integrated Mobility Card, GSD+ proposed a design that would improve the user experience, provide integrated customer services for the three BRT lines, provide improved security features, facilitate system auditing, and reduce the use of cash through the introduction of contactless bank cards as new fare media. In addition, the system consolidates the transactions that take place on the other four BRT lines, so that Metrobus can have a comprehensive view of passenger use of the BRT.

 

GSD+ prepared the documents required for procurement of the AFC system’s supply, installation, configuration, operation and maintenance. We supported Metrobus during the procurement process by providing answers to the bidders’ clarification requests, amending the procurement documents accordingly, and evaluating the technical and financial proposals. The contract was awarded in February 2021.