The Bi-State Board of Commissioners approved up to an $18 million contract to Indra USA, Inc. for the purchase of 125 ticket vending machines (TVMs) for the MetroLink light rail system and MetroBus transfer centers at its November 29 Board meeting.
On August 16, 2023, Bi-State Development issued solicitation 24-RFP-466396-KM – Purchase of Ticket Vending Machines to obtain new ticket vending machines as part of the agency’s Fare Collection Program project to transform fare purchasing and the validation system. The solicitation was advertised on Bi-State’s iSupplier website.
According to Metro Transit, acquisition, testing and installation of new TVMs are critical to the Secure Platform Project (SPP), as the machines will produce fare media to open the new security gates for MetroLink access. This media will include QR code tickets, passes and stored value smart cards, all of which will be available through the TVMs.
By the October 2, 2023 proposal due date, six (6) proposals were received in response to the solicitation. All six proposals were forwarded to an evaluation committee consisting of members from Bi-State’s Finance and Administration Departments. The proposals were scored in accordance with the evaluation requirements specified in the solicitation package with Indra USA, Inc. having the winning bid.