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Some transit agencies, like New York City Transit, conduct e-commerce on their own Web sites, while others, like Florida’s Tri-County Commuter Rail Authority, join external e-commerce services like DemandStar.com. But many other agencies don’t engage in much e-commerce at all — yet.



American Public Transportation Association and Booz Allen and Hamilton Aug. 29 formed "TransportMAX," an open and independent e-commerce company.



Like many freight railroad e-commerce sites, the idea is to provide buyers and sellers the opportunity to achieve greater purchasing efficiencies and improved cost controls.



Services offered would include procurement services, catalog sales services, auctions and virtual trade shows. The site also would provide participants information to promote better collaboration between business partners and share purchasing best practices.



A pilot test program slated to begin in fall will include eight transit systems: Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority, New Jersey Transit Corp., San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, North Country Transit District, Port Authority of Allegheny County, Blue Water Area Transportation Commission, and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.



APTA’s and Booz Allen and Hamilton’s ultimate TransportMAX goal is to build a database to help transit systems and suppliers identify purchasing trends that would provide information leading to better decision making.



Pending the pilot program’s success, TransportMAX is expected to be available early next year.