The ticket issuance and payment system for public transportation has evolved over the last 100 years, from coin payments to the latest methods that offer greater convenience and efficiency through technology.

If you want to discover the trends in public transportation payment and learn about the latest technologies that Meep has worked with, keep reading!

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How was buying public transportation tickets in the past?

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From the 1950s to the late 1980s, it was common to use a single validation method such as tokens, paper tickets, or magnetic stripe tickets. However, the 1990s brought significant improvements in the user experience for ticket issuance, such as location services and real-time information. This era also saw the emergence of contactless smart cards, including those from the Madrid Transport Consortium.

The rapid digital transformation led to innovations in two directions:

• Towards contactless credit cards and mobile phones, allowing operators to avoid ticket issuance and users to have more convenient access to transportation.

• And towards the implementation of "account-based" ticketing systems, where tickets are stored in a central system rather than on a physical card.

Tokens, paper tickets, magnetic stripe tickets, as well as contactless cards and devices, are still in use and distributed. Many investments have not yet been amortized, and certain groups are more familiar with the old ticketing system.

In this context, the real challenge lies in discovering how to implement some of these more innovative ticket issuance solutions in a cost-effective manner for operators and beneficial for users.

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A New Approach to Mobility

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The increase in population, new user needs, and the decrease in public resources have favored the emergence of new business models led by private innovation that facilitate the use of new technologies applied to accessing public transportation.

An example of this is emerging models like Meep's, which embraces Mobility as a Service (MaaS). With this application, users can book and pay for their trips, regardless of the mode of transportation, all in one place. It's a kind of Google Maps with payment capabilities for both public and private transport (a ride-sharing vehicle, a scooter, a bicycle, a bus, a taxi, etc.).

This integration provides users with a smoother and simplified experience when traveling through the city. Do you want to know about some of the payment and validation systems or technologies that Meep works with or has worked with? We'll tell you about them next.

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1. Magnetic stripe cards

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In public transportation validation and payment, cards can be differentiated based on the stored information and developed cryptography. The first of these is the magnetic stripe card. Present since the 1970s, these are typically paper tickets or plastic cards with a magnetic strip that stores data readable by a machine.

The potential for reuse and cost savings are some of the reasons why we can still come across magnetic stripe cards in our day-to-day lives.

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2. EMV Contactless Technology (NFC)

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The other card is the EMV contactless card. EMV Contactless specifications refer to transactions using near-field communication (NFC) payment devices. These devices allow transactions to be conducted by waving or tapping a terminal enabled for EMV Contactless.

This technology entails the possibility of using the same means across various transportation networks. It often comes alongside the issuance of "account-based" tickets, and through it, Meep can ensure interoperability in its services.

Un ejemplo de una ciudad donde Meep ha realizado pruebas de esta tecnología es Sevilla. A través de la misma aplicación durante un proyecto piloto, se pueden almacenar billetes de transporte público que se pueden validar, cargar o inspeccionar mediante los móviles con NFC (chip de comunicación de campo cercano). Es decir, aquellos dispositivos que tengan este chip, como suelen tener las tarjetas bancarias, pueden beneficiarse de la comodidad que ofrece este sistema de validación y pago.

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3. QR

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A QR code, or Quick Response code, is a matrix barcode or two-dimensional barcode with an optical machine-readable label that contains a set of data.

It's a straightforward and cost-effective way to start using mobile phones for ticket issuance and validation in public transportation. Meep has utilized this technology in various Mobility as a Service projects, generating QR codes through an application to validate public transportation tickets, such as buses or trains.

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4. Reverse QR

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Another payment method would be using QR code readers (standard codes that everyone can use) or BIDI (closed codes that require payment to access). You can obtain these through the Meep app and have them on your mobile phone.

In this way, it's possible to make the corresponding payment or banking transaction and generate a digital ticket by scanning a QR code located inside public transportation. Additionally, the app notifies the relevant service that the user has purchased a ticket.

As an example, we have the pilot project we conducted in collaboration with Avanza and the Zaragoza City Council: ZUM. With this app, users had access to the entire urban transportation network, with the ability to simplify and unify payments using QR codes to quickly and efficiently access the city's trams, buses, and other transportation options. This enhanced their travel experience.

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5. Ultrasound

Lastly, another cutting-edge technology that Meep has implemented is the incorporation of contactless validations through ultrasonic proximity by LISNR. A company that has developed this technology, which has the potential to replace NFC, as it can transmit data using ultrasound.

With this collaboration, users can verify the tickets they have in the Meep app or make mobile payments by simply bringing their mobile device close to proximity tokens.

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This validation and payment method is one of the most secure and cost-effective, ensuring a seamless journey through a comprehensive and user-friendly platform like Meep's.

In essence, digital transformation has been shaping the evolution of the public transportation ticket issuance and payment system, offering numerous benefits to users in various stages. We will bid farewell to old payment methods, and this will result in increased usage of transportation modes that implement them.

Meep has worked with various payment and validation technologies, such as magnetic stripe cards, EMV Contactless (NFC) technology, QR codes, and the integration of ultrasonic proximity validations. These tools enable a distinctive user experience, enhancing accessibility and convenience for passengers, allowing them to make payments and access public transportation efficiently.

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