The new program should make transit more efficient
A new contactless payment system for South Africa’s new public transit network, reducing the need for cash, is set to launch this summer.
The project will initially allow people to buy tickets for public taxis using prepaid chip cards, and could potentially be expanded to allow the use of smartphones.
It has already been approved by South Africa’s Ministry of Transport for transit ticket payments, which software developer Aconite says will allow the project to develop quickly once it begins.
Numerous terminals are currently being installed across the country, allowing riders to add value to the card as needed.
Aconite says switching to smart cards has a number of benefits including lower costs, reducing fraud and theft, and quicker payment of fares.
The initial launch of the program will include roughly 50,000 cards, which is set to expand to two million cards after two years, and 10 million the year after.
South Africa has been under pressure to improve the reliability and safety of its public transit system, as it prepares to host the 2010 World Cup this June.
Related ID News:
