Visa Inc. announced 100 partners have enrolled in its Visa Ready for Transit program, a global transit partner program that gives agencies access to an expanded network of technology solutions and expertise to make it easier to get around.
Visa says transit agencies everywhere are recognizing the benefits of enabling contactless payments at turnstiles and on buses. Tapping to ride with a contactless card or digital wallet can help riders save valuable time by avoiding the need to pre-purchase a ticket, manage a standalone transit card or stand in line to reload their fare card. Visa helped to launch 60 new transit projects in the past year and projects are that live currently are seeing positive adoption with a 40 percent year-over-year rise in contactless transit transactions.
“Transit riders around the world are embracing the speed, security and convenience of traveling with contactless payments and transit agencies have taken note. With nearly 180 projects currently underway, Visa is committed to delivering this improved experience and better journeys for riders everywhere,” said Nick Mackie, global head of urban mobility, Visa. “We are encouraged by the continued growth of Visa Ready for Transit as a key part of accelerating the delivery of contactless transit solutions by giving transit agencies access to Visa-certified solutions, while helping partners maximize their investments.”
By selecting a technology provider or consultant to support a project through Visa’s transit partner program, transit agencies can simplify the process of identifying the right partner and expertise, streamline testing and implementation and expedite overall time-to market. Visa says transit agencies can move projects forward with confidence that the Visa Ready-certified solution they choose meets Visa’s high standards for security.
Contactless transit solutions have been shown to streamline fare collection and reduce operational costs while helping to boost ridership through an improved customer experience. Visa’s Ready for Transit program provides transit agencies with access to 100 partners worldwide with solutions and capabilities to support key aspects of next generation fare systems, including ticketing and fare collection and back office management. In addition to technology providers, Visa’s partner program includes consultancies that can support transit agencies through access to technical documentation and expertise in designing and delivering solutions based on these frameworks.
“The [Metropolitan Transportation Authority] is committed to delivering faster and more convenient trips for our riders. Tapping to ride with contactless cards and digital wallets not only makes it easier to get riders where they want to go, it also offers flexibility and choice to use their preferred payment method,” said Al Putre, OMNY program executive, MTA. “We have received exceedingly positive feedback from riders since launching OMNY, the MTA’s new contactless fare payment system, as evidenced by reaching nearly three million taps since launch on May 31. Working with partners with the technical expertise and leading capabilities to deliver this experience has been critical to the project’s continued success.”
Visa says consumers around the world continue to choose tapping to pay as the preferred way to check out, with more than 50 percent of Visa’s face-to-face transactions outside the U.S. occurring with a tap. More than 100 million Visa contactless cards have been issued in the U.S., with 300 million expected in 2020.
“As an international travel destination with a population of just under half a million, the city of Edinburgh has to balance the transport needs of both residents and visitors across a compact environment,” said Stevie Chambers, Commercial Projects Manager, Lothian. “We have been blown away by the response among customers since launching contactless payments across all 600 plus city buses, having recently processed our two millionth tap on the two-month anniversary of our launch. The greatest benefit for our customers is that unlike traditional ticketing, it requires little or no knowledge of our fares and network; they are simply charged the best fare for the journeys they’ve made. As a transport provider, if contactless isn’t yet part of your ticketing strategy, it needs to be.”
Visa Ready for Transit helps participating companies realize opportunities as more cities around the world look to enable new payment methods that meet evolving consumer preferences and expectations. Visa partners can maximize their investments in new solutions and capabilities through certification and testing with Visa’s global rules. Visa Ready-certified solutions work across the globe.
New Visa Ready partners join a group of partners already participating in the growing opportunity to improve rider journeys, including Cubic Transportation Systems and Vix Technology.
“We are passionate about enabling the world’s transportation authorities and operators to improve the daily lives of travelers through innovative payment and information technologies,” said Boris Karsch, vice president of strategy, Cubic Transportation Systems. “As more cities around the globe look to simplify how people pay for mobility services, we are proud to work with companies such as Visa to continue meeting the ever-changing needs of modern-day travelers with next-generation payment technologies.”
