E-ticket features Passengers will use a smart card that combines the functions of an electronic ticket and a pre-loadable electronic purse. The card can be loaded with value by using machines in the stations or by authorising the Public Transport Company to automatically debit the card holder’s bank account.

As a passenger boards a train, bus, or tram, they place the card in front of an electronic reader, which calculates the fare, scans the card, and deducts the fare from the card’s balance. The system then ensures that all fares collected during the journey are credited to the appropriate public transport company.

Convenience Emphasis According to Jeroen Kok, chairman for Trans Link Systems, the goals of the project are to enhance passenger convenience, increase social safety in public transport, reduce fare evasion, and to improve public transport companies’ management of information. “The seamless integration of all transport ticketing and payment systems across Holland will enable passengers to travel from one end of the country to the other using a single ticket,” he explained.

Team Responsibilities In terms of each company’s individual areas of responsibility within the consortium: Thales, through its Transport and Services division, is to provide its smart card experience for the design and implementation of the integrated fare collection system. Vialis will install and maintain the system’s physical infrastructure, including smart card readers, and ticketing and fare machines. Accenture’s key role will be to integrate the technology infrastructure and operate the system’s back office, which includes the clearing and settlement of revenues for the participating transport companies. Additionally, as subcontractors to Thales, Hong Kong’s MTRC Corporation and Octopus Cards Limited will provide the central back office, along with operations expertise.

The contract awarded to the consortium is valued at approximately Euro 120 million, with additional contracts for products and services expected to follow during the next five years.

More Info: http://www.translink.nl

Source: The East-West Consortium

Copyright 2003 UsingRFID.com

Reprinted with permission from Using RFID (http://www.usingrfid.com/news)

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