Caltrain to develop mobile app

Caltrain's board late last week approved a two-year contract with moovel Group to develop, implement, maintain and host an app that will allow customers to purchase fares on their mobile phones.

By summer, the San Francisco-area commuter railroad plans to roll out mobile ticketing for its one-way, day pass and zone upgrade fares, Caltrain officials said in a press release.

Future versions of the app may include daily parking permits and components for trip planning and real-time information on service updates.

The app will support both iOS and Android operating systems and will accept major credit and debit cards — including commuter benefit cards — as payment.

The contract, which is valued at $643,733, also includes an option to extend services for three additional years, Caltrain officials said.

"Caltrain serves the most innovative region in the nation, so we know the system's passengers are enthusiastic about the opportunity for technology to make riding Caltrain more convenient," said Caltrain Chair Jose Cisneros. "Mobile ticketing is just one way Caltrain is stepping forward to improve the customer experience."

To learn more about mobile app trends in the passenger-rail industry, read this feature in Progressive Railroading's January issue.