ERG Group
Encyclopedia
Vix Technology is an Australia-based technology company which designs, supplies and operates mobility solutions for the public transit industry, including Automated Fare Collection Systems (AFC), intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and passenger information systems (PIDS).
Vix has four main areas of business:
The company has designed, supplied and operated mobility solutions around the world, including Hong Kong
's Octopus card
system, San Francisco's TransLink
system (now called Clipper), and Stockholm
's Resekortet system.
In 1987, ERG acquired a controlling interest in AES. The first project the new ERG won was in Darwin, resulting in the world's first use of smart cards for passengers by a public transit organisation. In 1988 ERG acquired the balance of AES.
In 1989, ERG acquired Radiolab, which specialised in pagers and base stations, to become ERG's telecommunications and manufacturing division. ERG also acquired a 70% interest in Prodata Electronics, Belgium.
In 1997 ERG formed an alliance with Motorola, primarily for their smartcard technology, and won substantial contracts in Berlin, Rome, San Francisco and Singapore. An alliance with American Express was formed. Ecard was established.
2008 saw the New South Wales
government cancel the Tcard
project, with law suits in both directions (currently outstanding).
In 2009, Vix acquired the assets of the former ERG Group, when ERG restructured and changed its name to Videlli Limited.
In 2010, Vix acquired ACIS, a leading UK-based supplier of ITS and PIDS solutions.
In 2011, Vix launched a rebranding of the company, integrating all of its business under one brand "Vix".
system for Hong Kong. The system was completed in September 1997 and remains the largest transit smart card project in the world with over 14 million transactions per day.
. The contract encompasses the six largest transit operators, including buses, light, medium and heavy rail carriers, and ferries. Muni and Caltrain began accepting TransLink on all routes starting in September 2008. Bay Area Rapid Transit
(BART) began accepting it in early 2009, followed by SamTrans and Santa Clara VTA. However, when Motorola withdrew from the contract, the MTC refused to assign it solely to ERG because it was concerned that ERG had insufficient operating capital. On 27 May 2009, the contract was assigned from Motorola and ERG to Cubic Transportation Systems
. TransLink was renamed Clipper and officially launched on 16 June 2010 with Cubic as the operational partner.
(SL) to implement a smart card based fare collection system. The contract involved the upgrade of the current rail and metro magnetic ticketing system to contactless smart cards, together with the extension of the system to the bus network, sales outlets, and new ticket vending machines. The contract included the issuing of over one million cards. The system went into public trial from September 2008 and became widely available to the public in 2009.
for the Land Transport Authority
. On 13 April 2002, the smart card ticketing system went into full service on Singapore's public transport network. At the end of the first week in operation it was processing more than 500,000 transactions per day, a figure that has now risen to more than seven million. EZ-Link
is now one of the largest integrated smart card based transit systems in the world with more than 22,000 readers in place across the five transit operators covering bus, rail and light rail.
system for the New South Wales Public Transport Ticketing Corporation (PTTC) was terminated 23 January 2008. The NSW Government announced their intention to recover the project costs from ERG. Videlli lodged a countersuit in May 2008 to recover over $200 million in costs.
Vix has four main areas of business:
- Transit and mobility - including AFC, ITS and PIDS solutions
- Product engineering
- Payments
- Telecommunications
The company has designed, supplied and operated mobility solutions around the world, including Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
's Octopus card
Octopus card
The Octopus card is a rechargeable contactless stored value smart card used to transfer electronic payments in online or offline systems in Hong Kong...
system, San Francisco's TransLink
TransLink (San Francisco Bay Area)
The Clipper card is a reloadable contactless smart card used for electronic transit fare payment in the San Francisco Bay Area. First introduced as Translink in 2002 by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission as a pilot program, Clipper was rebranded into its current form and launched in 2010...
system (now called Clipper), and Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
's Resekortet system.
History
In 1978, Associated Electronic Services Ltd (AES), a Perth-based engineering company, began developing an automated fare collection (AFC) system. In 1984 AES won a contract for an AFC system in Toronto, Canada. That same year Energy Research Group (ERG) was listed on the stock exchange. ERG was a venture capital-backed company, researching various technologies including an electronic sign board and a manufacturing process for surfboards.In 1987, ERG acquired a controlling interest in AES. The first project the new ERG won was in Darwin, resulting in the world's first use of smart cards for passengers by a public transit organisation. In 1988 ERG acquired the balance of AES.
In 1989, ERG acquired Radiolab, which specialised in pagers and base stations, to become ERG's telecommunications and manufacturing division. ERG also acquired a 70% interest in Prodata Electronics, Belgium.
In 1997 ERG formed an alliance with Motorola, primarily for their smartcard technology, and won substantial contracts in Berlin, Rome, San Francisco and Singapore. An alliance with American Express was formed. Ecard was established.
2008 saw the New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
government cancel the Tcard
Tcard
Tcard was an integrated inter-modal stored-value ticketing project, similar to Hong Kong's Octopus Card system, originally intended to be in place before the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The project experienced many delays even before the contract was signed, due to a lawsuit brought by the losing bidder...
project, with law suits in both directions (currently outstanding).
In 2009, Vix acquired the assets of the former ERG Group, when ERG restructured and changed its name to Videlli Limited.
In 2010, Vix acquired ACIS, a leading UK-based supplier of ITS and PIDS solutions.
In 2011, Vix launched a rebranding of the company, integrating all of its business under one brand "Vix".
Hong Kong
ERG developed the components of the Octopus cardOctopus card
The Octopus card is a rechargeable contactless stored value smart card used to transfer electronic payments in online or offline systems in Hong Kong...
system for Hong Kong. The system was completed in September 1997 and remains the largest transit smart card project in the world with over 14 million transactions per day.
San Francisco
In April 1999 the ERG-Motorola alliance was contracted to the largest smart card project in United States to design, build, operate and maintain the Clipper (then called TransLink) fare payment system in the San Francisco Bay AreaSan Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
. The contract encompasses the six largest transit operators, including buses, light, medium and heavy rail carriers, and ferries. Muni and Caltrain began accepting TransLink on all routes starting in September 2008. Bay Area Rapid Transit
Bay Area Rapid Transit
Bay Area Rapid Transit is a rapid transit system serving the San Francisco Bay Area. The heavy-rail public transit and subway system connects San Francisco with cities in the East Bay and suburbs in northern San Mateo County. BART operates five lines on of track with 44 stations in four counties...
(BART) began accepting it in early 2009, followed by SamTrans and Santa Clara VTA. However, when Motorola withdrew from the contract, the MTC refused to assign it solely to ERG because it was concerned that ERG had insufficient operating capital. On 27 May 2009, the contract was assigned from Motorola and ERG to Cubic Transportation Systems
Cubic Corporation
Cubic Corporation is an American public corporation providing military defense equipment and automated fare collection equipment. It is headquartered in San Diego, California, with offices in North America, Europe, India, and Australia....
. TransLink was renamed Clipper and officially launched on 16 June 2010 with Cubic as the operational partner.
Stockholm
In April 2003, ERG signed a contract with Stockholm’s public transport authority, Storstockholms LokaltrafikStorstockholms Lokaltrafik
Storstockholms Lokaltrafik AB, , commonly referred to as SL, is the organisation running all of the land based public transport systems in Stockholm County....
(SL) to implement a smart card based fare collection system. The contract involved the upgrade of the current rail and metro magnetic ticketing system to contactless smart cards, together with the extension of the system to the bus network, sales outlets, and new ticket vending machines. The contract included the issuing of over one million cards. The system went into public trial from September 2008 and became widely available to the public in 2009.
Singapore
In 1999, the ERG-Motorola alliance won a contract in Singapore to design and install an integrated smart card ticketing system known as EZ-LinkEZ-Link
The EZ-Link card is a contactless smart card based on the Sony FeliCa smartcard technology and used for the payment of public transportation fares in Singapore, with limited use in the small payments retail sector...
for the Land Transport Authority
Land Transport Authority
The Land Transport Authority is a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport of the Singapore Government.-History:...
. On 13 April 2002, the smart card ticketing system went into full service on Singapore's public transport network. At the end of the first week in operation it was processing more than 500,000 transactions per day, a figure that has now risen to more than seven million. EZ-Link
EZ-Link
The EZ-Link card is a contactless smart card based on the Sony FeliCa smartcard technology and used for the payment of public transportation fares in Singapore, with limited use in the small payments retail sector...
is now one of the largest integrated smart card based transit systems in the world with more than 22,000 readers in place across the five transit operators covering bus, rail and light rail.
Other
Vix has also designed, developed, and/or operated solutions in the following locations:- Ashdod, Israel
- Beijing, China
- Boston, USA
- Bouche Du Rhone, France
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Clermont, France
- Gothenburg, SwedenVästtrafikVästtrafik is the agency responsible for public transport services involving buses, ferries, trains, and the Göteborg tramway in the county of Västra Götaland, Sweden. Until 31 December 2011 the ownership is shared equally between the Västra Götaland Regional Council and the 49 municipalities in...
- Grenoble, France
- Las Vegas (Monorail), USA
- Melbourne, AustraliaMetcard"OneLink" redirects here. For the computer/cable company, see OneLink Communications.Metcard is the brand name of an integrated ticketing system used to access public transport in Melbourne, Australia. It is a universal ticket which allows users to ride on the city's Metlink network, consisting of...
- Netanya, Israel
- Oslo, Norway
- Puget Sound RegionOrca CardThe ORCA ' Card is a contactless, stored value smart card used for payment of public transport fares in the Puget Sound region...
, USA - Rome, Italy
- Tel Aviv, Israel
- Toulon, France
- Various, United Kingdom
- Utah, USAUtah Transit AuthorityThe Utah Transit Authority operates a public transportation system throughout the Wasatch Front of Utah, United States. It operates fixed route buses, express buses, ski buses, three light rail lines , and a commuter rail line from Salt Lake City to Pleasant View, north of Ogden. UTA is based in...
- Valenciennes, France
Sydney Tcard
The ERG (now Videlli Ltd) contract to develop the TcardTcard
Tcard was an integrated inter-modal stored-value ticketing project, similar to Hong Kong's Octopus Card system, originally intended to be in place before the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The project experienced many delays even before the contract was signed, due to a lawsuit brought by the losing bidder...
system for the New South Wales Public Transport Ticketing Corporation (PTTC) was terminated 23 January 2008. The NSW Government announced their intention to recover the project costs from ERG. Videlli lodged a countersuit in May 2008 to recover over $200 million in costs.