Guest blog: How open payments are accelerating transport - CILT(UK)
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Guest blog: How open payments are accelerating transport

17 July 2020/Categories: CILT, Industry News, Active Travel & Travel Planning, Bus & Coach, Rail, Transport Planning, Coronavirus


Global transport systems are having to adapt and embrace a new normal. Whereas once a physical ticket would have been purchased from a manned kiosk using cash, today is a very different story. Technological developments, alongside open payments, have unlocked an array of new possibilities across multiple industries. And consumers are starting to expect more as part of their basic service.

This means the move towards a cashless society is quickly gathering pace. Cards and alternative payment methods (APMs) are now the norm, and the ways in which these changes are affecting transit systems are far reaching. What are the payment trends? What are the key benefits of these developments? I’ll answer these and delve into what operators need to know.

Transport payments trends

One of the biggest payment evolutions in consumer payments is tap and pay. By bringing ease and simplicity to everyday tasks, travellers have welcomed this development to the transport journey – whether that be tapping onto trains, to borrowing bikes or hiring e-cars. In response to this trend, transit systems worldwide are adapting their infrastructure to accept cards as new forms of entry, including digitised versions on smartphones or internet of things (IOT) devices, so customers can simply tap in with their preferred bank card.

In app payments are also on the rise, offering customers the ability to plan ahead and remain assured that they have everything they need, all in one place, for every leg of their journey. Many local transport networks now have their own apps with integrated timetables, payments, and ticket download capabilities, featuring QR codes and barcodes which can then be scanned quickly and efficiently. These capabilities are being enabled by transit hardware developments – smaller more portable terminals for transport staff, and self-scanning ticketing devices are streamlining the process even further. 

Ultimately, the end goal for many transport experts is Mobility as a Service (MaaS) – providing an easy and frictionless all-encompassing transport system that guides consumers through the whole journey, no matter what mode of travel they choose.

The benefits to both the consumer and merchant

Open payments are a huge contributor to the vast changes we’re seeing in the transport industry – it’s the technology that’s enabling paper-based tickets to be swapped for NFC-enabled devices such as bank cards and mobile phones. With no pre-registration required, travellers can just tap the validator to enter and exit, then the system automatically calculates the best-value ticket for them at the end of their journey, whether it be a single trip, day pass or multi-day card.

These new technologies bring huge advantages for both consumers and merchants alike. Firstly, they’re extremely convenient. Most consumers no longer need to wait in line at manned ticketing booths, and those that do, rarely need to be delayed by finding the correct change. The whole process is quicker, easier, and keeps people moving, thereby avoiding unnecessary crowding in already busy areas. Improved staff mobility with portable devices also means they can cater to a greater variety of consumers, bringing the service to older, less mobile clientele, or those with disabilities. What’s more, self-service capabilities can be a great way for merchants to reduce overheads, and staff’s energy can be directed towards more important, less tedious tasks.

There are even bigger benefits too. For MaaS, the integration of different transport services within a single mobility offering is a key issue for consumers, amplified in recent years due to increasing concerns over emissions, congestion, and a need for mobility solutions that are cost-effective and convenient. Achieving MaaS will increase public transport ridership and reducing traffic on the road, thereby enhancing the quality of life for citizens and protecting the environment too.

Time to get started


With so many different options and much complicated tech-speak on the market, it’s no surprise that many operators often feel alienated by the offerings, unable to decide which is right for them. The most effective way to find out what may work for your company is seek out the right expertise – a good payments professional will not only be able to guide you through the multitude of options out there, but also advise on the best systems to streamline your business operations.

Such systems belong to a new generation of unattended devices blending the best of the transport and payment worlds. Easily integrating into bus and tram validators, station gates and turnstiles, readers support all NFC devices: closed- or open-loop cards and smartphones. The Open series meets both transport industry requirements in terms of speed and durability, and the highest payment security standards (PCI-PTS v5.1). 


By Darren Anderson, Business Development Manager, Self Service, Ingenico Enterprise Retail


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