In an agreement that will revolutionize on-board fare collection in the passenger rail industry, Amtrak and Motorola's Worldwide Smartcard Solutions Division (WSSD) today announced they will take the lead in introducing a state-of-the-art Automated Fare Collection System (AFCS). (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990623/CGW011) Implementation of the fare collection system will begin with introduction of Amtrak's new Acela Express high-speed rail service between Boston-New York and Washington later this year. In October of 2000, it will be implemented throughout Amtrak's nationwide rail network. "This agreement with an industry leader in communications technology will bolster Amtrak's financial performance and transformation into a sound, customer-focused enterprise," said George Warrington, Amtrak's president and chief executive officer. "When this project is completed, it will be the first and only one of its kind in the passenger rail industry, and that's why other passenger railroads are looking to follow our lead." As part of the $24 million contract, the computerized on-board fare collection system will put to use state-of-the-art technology that will be applicable for the entire passenger rail industry. "Motorola is thrilled to implement a unique, first-of-its-kind automated fare collection system for Amtrak," said Francois Dutray, vice president and general manager, Motorola WSSD. "Our innovative solution is designed to help Amtrak enhance its customer service and continue to be a premier transport provider." The new fare collection system that Amtrak began developing more than a year ago will replace the current cumbersome and time-consuming on-board manual ticket collection and payment system. The computerization of many tasks and the introduction of smart cards will make the system more efficient for customers and conductors, who will be able to devote more time to customer service. The new system will also give Amtrak, more accurate and timely ridership and revenue data. And, it will significantly improve Amtrak's management of its seat inventory, helping in large part to generate more than $7 million in additional revenue when fully operational. Not only will real-time passenger manifests permit the sale of cancelled reservations or sale of seats of ticketed passengers who do not board the train, but more importantly it will improve safety by giving Amtrak a better accounting of whom is on board the train. Later this year on Acela Express, conductors will use a Hand Held Device (HHD) configured with the train's passenger manifest to read the ticket barcode, process ticket sales using credit cards, checks, cash or smart cards, and issue a receipt or seat check utilizing a separate printer that fits on the belt. The information captured by the HHD will be transmitted to an On- board Computer (OBC) via a HHD docking station. Once the train reaches a designated station, the data will be transmitted to a Station Information Computer (SIC) via wireless LAN technology, which is linked to Amtrak's Arrow reservations system. When operational nationwide in October 2000, data will be transmitted while the train is in motion, not at designated stations, via a wide-area, wireless communications network. The contract also calls for Amtrak and Motorola to test two smart card applications and eventually roll them out system wide. In one pilot project, frequent customers of Acela Express' first- class service will be able to use the Motorola M-Smart(TM) smart card as an e-ticket. In another pilot, the smart card will be used to track on-board meals on Amtrak's long-distance trains. The results of the pilots will enable Amtrak and Motorola to refine the requirements for the larger scale rollout of smart cards. Smart cards are credit-card sized devices embedded with a computer chip that can accept, store and send up to 100 times more information than traditional magnetic-striped cards. Today under new leadership, Amtrak is turning the corner to become a successful business enterprise. In 1998, Amtrak passenger revenues surpassed $1 billion for the first time ever powered by the largest ridership increase in a decade, totaling more than 21 million customers, and the best on-time performance in 13 years. As part of its turnaround, Amtrak is focusing on growing public and private business partnerships, improving and guaranteeing consistency and quality of service, introducing high-speed rail in the Northeast this year, and developing other high-speed rail corridors nationwide. Motorola (NYSE: MOT) is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions such as software- enhanced wireless telephone, two-way radio, messaging and satellite communications products and systems, as well as networking and Internet-access products, for consumers, network operators, and commercial, government and industrial customers. Sales in 1998 were $29.4 billion. For more information on Motorola, visit www.motorola.com. For more information, contact John Wolf of Amtrak, (USA) 202- 906-3860; or Mike Doheny of Motorola, (USA) 847-576-6931. Note to editors: Photo will be available later today. ots Original Text Service: Motorola Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact: John Wolf of Amtrak, (USA) 202-906-3860; or Mike Doheny of Motorola, (USA) 847-576-6931 Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990623/CGW011 or NewsCom (USA) 213-237-5431; AP PhotoExpress Network, PRN1; PressLink Online, (USA) 800-888-6195 Web site: http://www.motorola.com