Date: October 31, 2025
Author(s): Stacy Mata, Madi Hamilton, Caleb Huang, John Gahbauer, Juan Matute
Abstract
This study identifies equity challenges in current transportation payment systems, specifically for transit, parking, and vehicle tolls. The methodology included comprehensive literature reviews, an inventory of 49 global transit systems, seven case studies, and expert interviews to assess payment accessibility, technical rules, interoperability, and user privacy. The study found that current systems disproportionately burden low-income, unbanked, and disabled users through high complexity and lack of cash-equivalent options. To mitigate this, the report recommends designing and deploying a California Mobility Card (CMC). The CMC would be a reloadable, prepaid transportation card operating on an existing, widespread payment network, offering cash-equivalent anonymity, seamless cross system travel, and automatic access to discounts like fare capping.
About the Project
The past decade’s proliferation of payment methods and technologies has given transportation providers new and various ways to collect payments for trips, whether they are by bus, train, managed lane, […]