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Post-COVID-19, marketers have been sowing the seeds of a new fear. For instance, Visa, in its article “Four ways open loop systems make transit better for everyone,” claims that “for riders, open-loop systems and contactless payments help provide a … more hygienic payment experience.” Read more
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Recently, I came across a study cited in an article on pymnts.com, claiming that
the ability to use tap-and-ride open-loop systems increased ridership by ONE-THIRD.Read more
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Sometimes, I encounter a concept so bizarre that it stops me in my tracks. The idea of rewarding customers for past actions in public transit is one such example. It confounds me every time. Read more
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Open-loop fare payments are often touted as the panacea for public transit, promising streamlined operations and a superior passenger experience. However, when we delve deeper, the question arises: Are they truly as “open” as the terminology implies? Read more
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The clamour to ‘revolutionize’ public transport is growing louder: open-loop systems, ABT, MaaS and shutting down ticket sales offices, and the list goes on. Read more
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Here’s a classic example of the common narrative about ‘open-loop’ systems in public transit. ‘Riders… can just ‘tap and ride’, safe in the knowledge that they’ll only be charged the most advantageous fare based on their journeys.’ Read more
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The more I get involved in open-loop payments in public transit, the more I’m noticing an alarming trend: many proponents, including vendors, banks, and card networks, seem to lack a comprehensive understanding of what they’re advocating for. Read more
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In public transportation, fare discounts serve a vital function: they drive ridership and increase revenue. But what underlies these discounts, and why are monthly or multi-ride passes less expensive per trip than single-ride tickets? Read more
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Following my previous post, I’d like to ponder further on the notion that public transport, being “public” (i.e., accessible to all without preferential service), fundamentally conflicts with the concept of ‘accounts.’ This brings us to question if Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) is really just a made-up term and niche product. Read more
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It seems as though the very essence of ‘public transport’ has been forgotten, particularly by those who claim to ‘innovate’ and ‘revolutionize’ this essential service with their grandiose ideas. Read more
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Exhausted by the seemingly unfounded advantages of open-loop payments and the buzz surrounding it, I found myself compelled to do some number-crunching (I wonder if I’m the lone ranger in this pursuit). Read more
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The Clock is Ticking: Open-Loop Payments & Account-Based Ticketing, Are We Doing It Right? Read more
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Promoting the merits of open-loop payments, Visa and Mastercard frequently cite survey outcomes, which, in my opinion, bring to mind the phrase “we stand for everything good and against everything bad”. Read more
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I want to address a common misconception regarding Automated Fare Collection (AFC) systems, as I’ve witnessed many people mistakenly equate them to mini-payment systems designed for a specific industry, like public transport. Let’s clear up this misunderstanding and delve into the true nature of AFC systems. Read more
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I don’t like the word “revolutionize.” To me, it sounds too destructive. Instead, I prefer the words “evolve” and “progress.” Read more
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Public transportation may seem like a simple thing - after all, we’ve been using it since we were young. But this perception leads to unfortunate consequences, such as inefficiency and improper methodologies, due to a lack of proper education. Moreover, the negative effects of such practices are not immediately noticeable, and can take years to manifest. Read more
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I recently stumbled upon something that both surprised and alarmed me as an AFC expert (okay, maybe “alarmed” is a bit strong, but it definitely raised my eyebrows). Read more
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You might be shocked to learn that Automated Fare Collection (AFC) for Public Transport could be the only industry where customers’ financial losses are portrayed as a benefit. Read more
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Following my reflections in my previous posts: Read more
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It’s both amusing and ironic to see how innovations in automated fare collection (AFC) for public transit are predominantly focused on various methods of payment: QR codes, biometrics, bank cards, and the countless “* Pays” options. Read more
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One misconception that deeply upsets me is when people - including the general public, AFC vendors, and even public transport professionals - associate automated fare collection (AFC) systems solely with cashless payments using bank cards inside transport vehicles 🚍. Read more