Smartmatic signs deal for mass transport system in Colombia

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Cartagena, the most important touristic and cultural district of Colombia, selected joint-venture partners Smartmatic and Dataprom for the task of implementing and operating an automated fare collection and fleet management system for the new Integrated Mass Transportation System, targeted for service in the next 18 years.

Smartmatic will supply the financial, technological and management services of transit authority, Transcaribe. Smartmatic will use a number of advanced systems that include a fare collection system based on the latest and most secure smart card payment technologies, a real-time fleet management and control system for public transportation buses, a passenger information system, and fare card vending machines, with access locations spread throughout the territory for the convenience of passengers. The system is expected to be operational in 2012.

“We are overly pleased at having been selected by the Colombian authorities to bring our contributions and expertise to their transportation system. It is Smartmatic’s commitment to keep working to help create the future smart cities, and also to create a better and farther-reaching quality of life,” stated Antonio Mugica, Smartmatic’s CEO.

According to Transcaribe, the adjudication was a result of a competitive offer, after a highly demanding public bidding process. The winning consortium, led by Smartmatic, submitted the proposal with the best price and most sustainable solution, designed and adapted to the specific challenges presented by Cartagena, and thus received the highest score out of five bidders. The proposed price will translate into savings of more than $30 million, which can be destined to health and other social investments, among other specific benefits.

Dataprom, a Brazilian company specializing in advanced transportation systems, has an impressive track record in transit systems in Brazil, including the world-renown implementation done in the city of Curitiba, which has become an international reference when it comes to modern, smart, and sustainable public transportation systems.