Special Report: More Agencies Taking Modular Approach to Build Their Fare Systems, Shunning Single-Supplier Model

Metrolinx presto
Transit agencies planning to roll out new electronic fare-collection systems have typically hired automated fare-collection vendors to handle the entire projects, from supplying the validators and payments processing to building or procuring the back office...

Contactless Fare Payments Double for Moscow Metro, as Agency Focuses on New Payments Services

Moscow Metro "M" sign.
Moscow Metro said contactless fare payments have doubled this year, as the large transit agency continues to add acceptance points for a range of contactless bank card brands and NFC wallets. [...]

Preview Article

Moscow Metro Expands Test of ‘Virtual Troika’ in Pays Wallets, as It Continues to Develop Digital-Payments Services

Hand with virtual Troika card at Moscow Metro gate.
Moscow Metro is recruiting more users to test its “Virtual Troika” card in two NFC wallets, those supporting Google Pay and Samsung Pay, as one of the world’s largest subway operators continues to seek more ways for its customers to pay for rides....
Preview Article

Toronto Area Transit Agency Expands Contactless Pilot, but Canada’s Largest City Slow to Roll Out Open Loop

Up Express airport train
Canada’s largest city, Toronto, is continuing its move to open-loop payments, though is taking a slow approach–with transit authority Metrolinx not calling an end yet to a more than six-month pilot and then committing to pursuing a rollout in a “phased...
Preview Article

Special Report: Interest Grows in ‘White-Label EMV’ for Closed-Loop Transit Cards

Woman holds up new SL closed-loop card based on white-label EMV.
As more transit agencies introduce open-loop fare payments, interest is starting to grow in use of white-label EMV cards that agencies can issue in place of proprietary closed-loop cards for riders who don’t have bank cards or don’t want to use them to...
Preview Article

Major Bus Operators in Hong Kong Now Accepting Open-Loop Payments–Adding More Competition for Octopus

JCB card being tapped on reader on board Kowloon Motor Bus, next to Octopus reader
Two more bus operators in Hong Kong on Saturday launched acceptance of open-loop contactless fare payments, with both also accepting QR code-based mobile ticketing–as the near ubiquitous closed-loop Octopus card continues to see more competition. [...]

Preview Article