ACS chosen to alleviate port congestion

Affiliated Computer Services Inc has been chosen by PierPASS Inc, a consortium of terminal operators at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, to develop and operate PierPASS, a peak-hour fee collection program to reduce port congestion in Southern California. The contract is valued at about $12 million over three years with two, two-year renewal options.

“Cargo volume is expected to double by 2010, and PierPASS will help to alleviate congestion and provide shippers with greater flexibility,” said Bruce Wargo, PierPASS general manager.

PierPASS technology and supporting services are being developed and operated by ACS. This will reduce intermodal truck congestion in the port area and on area highways by charging a traffic mitigation fee on certain marine container shipments that arrive or leave the port terminals during peak periods. Collected fees will be used to pay for extended hours of operation at the ports with the objective of encouraging movement of cargo during off-peak periods.