Digitalization impacts many industries, and the transportation industry is also one of them. For those old enough to remember, standing in lines waiting to buy a bus, tram, or train tickets and then staring at the schedule on the wall was an everyday reality. However, the development of cashless options has changed that reality for the transportation industry. Cashless options in transportation have evolved significantly, offering various payment methods to users.
Contactless payment cards
Many banks, as part of digitalization, are offering their users contactless debit and credit cards. In regards to that, many transportation and overall payment systems have adjusted to it and now accept contactless cards directly at fare gates or on buses, trams, and trains. With a single tap on the reader, the fare is automatically deducted. To modernize, transportation companies are offering their personalized transportation cards. Cards like MetroCard (New York City), or Navigo Easy pass (Paris) are preloaded with funds and can be tapped at entry points.
Mobile payment apps
The popularity of digital wallets has made contactless payment in transportation even more used. Apps like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay allow users to link their debit or credit cards to their smartphones directly. Also, when paying for a fare, users tap their phone on a contactless reader. However, many cities have created their transit apps, such as ZetMobile in which they offer users to purchase tickets, passes, or load funds onto a digital wallet within the app.
QR codes
QR codes offer two different types of contactless payment. First is digital tickets. Users can purchase tickets online through an app or website receive a QR code on their phone and have it scanned at the gate or by conductors. The second option is payment via QR codes. Some transportation places, like bus or train terminals, have printed QR codes at the gate which users can scan with their phone and pay for the fare with a mobile payment app.
In-app payment
Transportation services like Uber, Bolt, or Lyft have their apps and offer contactless payments to their users. By linking a credit or debit card, or digital wallet to the app, the ride fare is automatically deducted. Therefore, companies that specialize in renting transportation, whether it be for sightseeing purposes, or simply pleasure are also using cashless payment options. Services like CitiBike or Lime enable users to unlock or pay for the ride directly through the app, linking a credit/debit card.
Pre-paid travel cards and accounts
Transportation systems offer their users the ability to top-up their travel cards or accounts online. Top-up using cashless payment is done through a website or an app. With this feature, users don’t need to pay with cash at physical locations. Furthermore, some transportation services offer auto-replenish features. This feature automatically adds money to users’ accounts when the balance drops below a certain threshold.
Cashless payment options in transportation are key in modernizing transit systems. They’re making transportation more accessible and efficient, reducing the reliance on physical cash and streamlining the payment process for users.
