Schlumberger Wins Multi-Million Contract for Dallas/Fort Worth Commuter Rail Ticketing Solution
DART Installation Marks North America's First Fully Integrated Automated Fare Collection System Controlled via Fiber-Optic Links and TCP/IP Protocols
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 15, 1999-- Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB - news), the world's leading provider of smart card-based solutions, today announced that it has won a competitive bid to provide a complete ticketing solution to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T). The solution includes North America's first complete turnkey fiber-optic-linked Automated Fare Collection System (AFC). The $7.5 million contract includes an NT-based advanced Central Data Collection System (CDCS), next generation ticket vending machines (TVM6000), technical support, project management and installation. The state-of-the-art Schlumberger solution will initially be used to control 65 ticket vending machines (expandable to 400) for the North Central Corridor and the Northeast Corridor light rail build-out projects in Dallas, and for the Trinity Railway Express commuter train which will link Dallas and Fort Worth in 2001.
``We are pleased to award this contract to Schlumberger because they have proven their understanding of the project by providing our existing convenient, secure method of revenue collection from rail patrons,' stated Carrene Gilbert, manager of Fare Collection and Signals at DART. ``Through Schlumberger's outstanding customer service, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, DART will continue to gain the advantage of a full-service, reliable fare collection system for its customers.'
TVM Solution Provides Significant Benefits
AFC technology using a Central Data Collection System is rapidly gaining favor in the U.S. as operators and riders alike realize its benefits. The solution provides DART with a direct, point-to-point fiber-optic network link from each TVM to the CDCS, enabling full data centralization of all transactions and remote error diagnostics in addition to real-time monitoring for system security. The bandwidth per TVM is expected to be a minimum 128K allowing for complete operating system configuration and TVM customization. Through the use of the TVM interactive high-resolution color display, DART customers and employees will fully appreciate the dynamics and diversity of the system's capabilities that include configurable user interface and help screens.
Schlumberger will also provide integration management with DART infrastructure from design reviews to final acceptance, system installation, and maintainability and warranty service. Additionally, Schlumberger will provide comprehensive training on every aspect of operation, including revenue service, maintenance service and shop repair. The solution was designed from the ground up to meet all of DART's specifications, including:
-- Federal government's "Buy America" program
-- Strict compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
-- Extreme resistance to vandalism
-- Twenty-four-hour, 365 day use in all-weather conditions
-- Self-service operation
-- Continued flexibility in accepting payment and issuing tickets
-- Onboard software for managing all internal systems
Full-Service Turnkey Solution Keeps Dallas Coming Back
Pleased with the prior installation of the Schlumberger first-generation TVM5000 terminals, the new contract builds on the company's expert management, manufacturing and maintenance capabilities. As many as 65 TVMs will be installed for the DART build out which includes 42 stand-alone validators and as many as 14 TVMs for The T build out (8 stand-alone validators). Both the light and heavy rail unmanned ticket vending machines will be used in the same manner so that patrons can buy tickets to board the Dallas and surrounding area mass transit systems. Project completion for the initial phase of the DART installation is expected to be completed by October 2001. Installation for The T is expected to be completed by March 2001.
The previous Schlumberger DART TVM contract was awarded in January 1995 and met its first installation goal of 38 revenue-ready units in June 1996 to coincide with DART's official opening. An additional installation of 12 TVM5000 units followed in January 1997, with a final 6 revenue-ready by June 1997. Currently more than 1.4 million TVM transactions are processed each year in the Dallas rail system, with some Schlumberger TVMs handling as many as one thousand transactions a day.
About Schlumberger
Schlumberger is the leading provider of smart card-based solutions to enhance city life and people-flow management. Solutions for Municipalities provide city councils and local governments throughout the world with integrated smart card-based solutions for mass transit, parking and telecommunications. Additional information is available at slb.com.
Schlumberger Test & Transactions provides smart card-based solutions; semiconductor test, metrology and handling systems and services; and corporate IP and network solutions to customers throughout the world. It is a business unit of Schlumberger Limited, an $11.8 billion global technology services company. |
