Background: Modernising railway operations
Keolis Commuter Services, the operator of Boston’s MBTA Commuter Rail, faced a challenge familiar to many transportation providers: managing a growing fleet of mobile devices across dispersed teams and shifts.
With hundreds of conductors, engineers, and supervisors needing tablets, iPhones, scanners, and radios to perform daily tasks, the manual distribution and tracking of these devices became a bottleneck, leading to:
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Lost or misplaced devices
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Uncharged devices at the start of shifts
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Time-consuming handoffs requiring IT or supervisory staff intervention
Challenge: Enabling onboard credit card payments
As part of an initiative to modernise the passenger experience, Keolis Commuter Services set a goal to accept credit card payments directly on trains.
“As we continue to find ways to improve our customers’ experience, this technology offers an additional, convenient way for the payment of fares,” said MBTA General Manager Luis Manuel Ramírez. “The adoption of smart technology like this will help accelerate the fare transaction process through a system that is already familiar to many of our customers.”
The implementation of credit card payments meant equipping over 450 train conductors with mobile technology, including:
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iPhones
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Credit card scanners
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Mobile ticket printers
But distributing, charging, and securing these devices across multiple shifts and locations presented significant logistical challenges. Without a system in place, devices were frequently misplaced, left uncharged, or not tracked properly — putting the entire onboard payment program at risk.
Solution: Automating device access with FUYL Smart Lockers
Keolis deployed PC Locs FUYL Smart Lockers to create a self-service device deployment workflow. Each locker bay was configured to store and charge a full kit (phone, scanner, printer), ensuring conductors could quickly and securely pick up their assigned equipment before shifts.
By integrating smart lockers, Keolis achieved:
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Fast, secure distribution of payment devices
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Automated tracking of device usage for improved accountability
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Consistent device readiness with built-in charging per bay
This not only enabled the credit card payment rollout but also improved efficiency across the board, freeing up IT and supervisor resources that were previously tied up managing devices manually.
Key results for Keolis
- Streamlined device handoffs across multiple shifts
- Improved accountability and tracking of mobile assets
- Reduced IT support workload
- Ensured devices are charged and available when needed
- Enhanced passenger experience through more efficient operations
Why it matters for transportation providers
In industries where operational downtime is costly, having immediate, secure access to essential technology is a must. Smart lockers like the FUYL Tower help transportation teams eliminate inefficiencies, reduce equipment loss, and empower frontline employees with the tools they need — on-demand.
What’s next?
To date, Keolis has rolled out mobile devices to over 85% of their conductors. Because of the flexibility and scalability of the FUYL Smart Locker, Keolis is able to continue to roll out mobile devices at a thoughtful and sustainable pace until they reach their goal of 100%.
Looking to modernise your device workflows?
Learn how FUYL Smart Lockers can help transport and logistics teams streamline operations and reduce device downtime.