This article first appeared in the Bus-News Magazine Issue 2 2023.
I n co-operation with Mastercard and K&H, the public transport operator in Budapest, BKK, has commenced a pilot scheme for an innovative contactless fare payment platform powered by Switchio.
As of 20 June 2023, passengers on the 100E airport shuttle bus are the first commuters in the country to enjoy the unmatched speed and convenience of cEMV payments in public transportation.
The trial follows a successful pilot phase and marks a major step in the ongoing digital transformation of public transit in the Hungarian capital. The data obtained in the trial will help refine the solution prior to widescale deployment.
Switchio’s innovative cEMV payment technology lets riders on the 100E airport shuttle bus use their bank card, smartphone or smart wearable to pay their fare. The system requires no prior steps, such as registration or download of a special app. Passengers simply climb on board, place their bank card or smart device over the digital terminal, and away they go. The technology turns their bank card, virtual or physical, into their ticket.
Whereas other systems require passengers to first purchase a ticket online and then validate it in separate operations, Pay&Go does it all in one lightning-fast step. Moreover, in the event of an inspection, passengers simply present their bank card the way they would a paper ticket under the old system.
The project is part of BKK’s continued efforts to provide its passengers with an improved user experience while advancing eco-friendly public transportation with paperless digital solutions.
Use the form opposite to get in touch with Switchio® directly to discuss any requirements you might have.