ON-Line | OFF-Line |
High implement cost | Low implement cost |
Transaction is slower | Transaction is fast |
Need a reliable & low latency network | Less dependent on network |
The server requires high performance and high availability | No need for high performance & high availability server |
7/24 support | no need for 7/24 support |
High operating cost | Low operating cost |
Operating cost is directly dependent on the number of users, and the number of concurrent transactions. | Operating cost is independent of the user population and the number of transactions. |
Tag: afc
Most AFC system suppliers don’t understand off-line technologies
What they are really supplying is merely a sophisticated and expensive online system with integration of the following features:
- Terminal devices with network 3G/4G capability
- Key security with security access module (SAM)
- Smart Card with high security and durability
- Fully integrated system with backup facilities
- Interoperability with different card system
- High availability server system
- Sophisticated clearing center
- Sophisticated reporting
They simply assume that network is always available and terminal devices will always able to send data back to the server.
No system suppliers mention how to handle transaction record lost due to terminal device failure.
Transaction between card and terminal is done in real time, but the transaction record is sent to server in a delay manner.
There is a chance of losing record due to device failure even in a fraction of a second.
iBonus ® AFC system assumes network is NOT always available
Our server manages the sequence of delayed transaction records and can fill the holes.
Our server handles the security of the card by monitoring abnormality.
It is a true off-line based system and is cost effective.
Our systems used by US Army and UN World Food Program survived even in the harsh environment in countries like Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq where network or Internet is not always available.
Why Irish NTA replaces Leap cards with account-based payment?
The Journal, Nov. 20th, 2019 link
Plans progress to replace Leap cards with account-based payment by 2027
Cash payments were still common among some passengers and accounted for up to 20% of all journeys, which slowed down boarding time.
The National Transport Authority has issued a market consultation notice to engage with potential service providers as part of its plans to advance the implementation of an Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) system across the bus, rail, and light rail network.
It will allow passengers to pay for their journey through their mobile phones, bank cards or official ID card or passport, removing the need to carry a special card for commuting.
Why replace it with an account-based system?
7 years to integrate a cashless technology that’s been around for the last 5 years…. that’s absolutely embarrassing!!
Tony Henry, comments on The Journal
… If this would be the case would it not be a quicker / easier solution to update the app rather than overhauling the entire system. Especially a system that completely eliminates cash / topup payments
Kevin Mischling, comments on The Journal
Over three million Leap cards have been sold since the €55 million smart card system was introduced in December 2011, with transactions worth over €320 million processed last year – up almost 16% in 2017.
Why the authority wants to invest a large amount of money probably over €20 million and to giveaway the profitable and growing fare collection business to Visa, Master Card, Apple Pay,…?
Why not spend the money to develop its own account-based payment, mobile-based payment or to develop the local vertical market like retail, event ticketing?
Conclusion
The author has over 18 years of experience in the automated fare collection industry. The latest development of mobile wallets is worth looking into. To learn more, please visit mobileafc.net
SF Bay Area’s MTC to deliver next-generation fare payment technology and operational services to the Clipper
Source from finextra.com
Clipper currently links 22 regional transit operators and facilitates more than 825,000 journeys per weekday across bus, rail, subway and ferry services, operated by Cubic since 2009
Last year, a $349 million contract promised to deliver a range of new features.
The new system will be rolled out in phases over a five-year period transitioning into a ten-year full operations term commencing in 2022.
Mobile App-based
An integrated mobile app that will enable customers to access real-time information, reload their accounts, plan trips and tap their phones as virtual Clipper cards through fare gates and on buses in much the same way.
The major benefit will be user-friendly and a one-stop service from the mobile App.
Account-based
Online fare purchases will be made immediately available for use and an account-based architecture coupled with an open API portal will facilitate creative partnerships and systems extensions.
The benefit will open up more applications for the convenience or benefit to the passengers or users.
The drawback is that the taxpayer will have to absorb the initial huge investment and also giveaway the local profitable business to Visa, Mastercard, Apple pay,…
Conclusion
The plan has not clearly stated that mobile communication technologies to be used. Will it be still using existing NFC and maybe QR code-based technologies?
This is a critical step toward a truly smart city in which people don’t have to carry any more cards.
The author has 18 years of experience in the related industry. To learn more about the new technology of mobile payment for automated fare collection, please visit mobileafc.net
iBonus Limited Wins Praise for Breakthrough Technology Based on QR Codes for Use in Automated Fare Collection Systems
iBonus Limited Wins Praise for Breakthrough Technology Based on QR Codes for Use in Automated Fare Collection Systems
City public transportation systems face challenges on what technology can be used to run efficiently and cost-effectively. iBonus Limited seems to have solved the problem with their award-winning new technology being used in Hong Kong that delivers powerful all-around solutions.
November 10, 2019
The idea of an effective, quick and simple to use Mobile Wallet for Fare Collection is exactly what many cities and other public authorities responsible for Automated Fare Collection (AFC) dream of. The good news is that a true breakthrough has been made in this area in Hong Kong and the same technology can be applied, where needed, across the world. Enter the company iBonus Limited. iBonus Limited’s new technology allows the Mobile Wallet to be used with a one-second transaction time from nearly any iOS or Android smartphone, which covers 99% of users. In comparison, QR-code systems take five seconds to scan and NFC system cover only 90% of devices.
“We knew our technology needed to be fast, reliable and the wallet needed to be able to function on nearly every device,” commented a spokesperson from the company. “We are very pleased to have seen this be a great success and look forward to using the technology in another cities across the world disrupting the AFC space in a very positive way.”
The iBonus Limited system won Hong Kong ESS funding for their project worth $420k USD. It’s also won the Hong Kong Smart Cty Award in 2018. A patent has been filed for China/USA and PCT for the rest of the world.
Clearly, the room for the company to expand is present. Not only is the technology a superior one that delivers remarkable benefits but the AFC market itself is a stunning USD 8.15 Billion in 2018 with CAGR 13.6%.
To learn more be sure to visit https://mobileAFC.net.
New York City public transportation fare collection system lags behind third world countries.
New York City public transportation fare collection system lags behind third world countries.
Hillary Clinton, who had to swipe 5 times in a row to enter the subway in New York City during her presidential campaign in 2016.
MetroCard System
One of the greatest symbols of the outdated system is the MetroCard — the flimsy fare card that was introduced a quarter-century ago.
Plans to replace the MetroCard over the last decade have been mired in delays — and costs have soared — even as other cities adopted more durable tap cards. Washington’s subway introduced its SmarTrip card two decades ago, and Hong Kong has the Octopus card 30 years ago.
OMNY System
OMNY is being put in place by Cubic, a payments company behind the MetroCard and that oversaw London’s fare system. The project is expected to cost about $644 million — $200 million more than what the authority estimated in 2016.
The agency will offer a physical OMNY card in 2021, and the MetroCard will meet its demise in 2023. Subway officials say there will always be a cash option for New Yorkers who do not have bank cards or smartphones.
The idea has progressed in fits and starts. A decade ago, the authority’s chairman, Jay Walder, had wanted to bring “tap-and-go” cards to New York after he implemented the Oyster card in London. Officials wanted to phase out the MetroCard as early as 2012, but it did not happen, in part because credit card companies were slow to make their cards compatible.
The conclusion
New York City does not learn the financial model which Hong Kong adopted more than 30 years ago and the Octopus Card in Hong Kong is the most success cashless payment from public transportation to the retail market.
It is very important to understand the relationship among all stakeholders in the automatic fare collection system. It is so obvious that the biggest winner for the new OMNY system is the credit card issuers because they will earn the transaction fee without investment and the biggest loser is the New York City government who has to pay US$ 644 million without any financial benefits at all.
The writer has over 19 years of experience in the related industry. To learn more about the latest mobile technology for automatic fare collection system, please visit http://mobileafc.net