France: Contactless Payment Card Becomes a Ticket in Dijon’s Trams

March 27, 2018
For the first time in France, a transport network in a large French city will equip its trams with contactless validation terminals, enabling passengers to pay for their journeys directly on board using contactless payment cards.

Dijon Métropole, Keolis, the Caisse d'Epargne de Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Visa and Worldline announce the launch of a new innovation in the field of open payment for public transport in Dijon. For the first time in France, when passengers (tourists, occasional travellers, regular passengers who have forgotten their ticket, etc.) board a tram, they will now be able to pay for their journey with a contactless payment card, regardless of their bank. This innovation, available throughout Dijon's two tram lines, will be extended to the city's bus routes in a second phase.

This new open payment solution enables users to avoid queuing and purchasing tickets from vending machines. All they have to do is board the trams and validate their journey by tapping their contactless payment card on the validation terminal provided for this purpose. They can then travel with total peace of mind, knowing that they always pay the lowest price for their journeys and will not have to present a paper ticket to controllers.

Frédéric Baverez, Executive Director of Keolis France said, "With a visionary and pioneering "smart city" transport policy, this new project confirms the goal of Dijon Métropole to improve the day-to-day transport experience within its region and to simplify access to public transport for everyone. Keolis is proud to be the benchmark transport partner for the implementation of this ambitious policy. With this new project, we are helping to optimise the day-to-day transport experience of the city's inhabitants as well as its many visitors."