NOVEMBER 2009 VOLUME I, ISSUE 1 Global Mass Transit Report Information and analysis on the global mass transit industry Contactless Ticketing in Mass Transit Mass Transit in South Africa A win-win solution for all stakeholders Governments invest heavily in transport infrastructure ith its myriad of advantages such as lower transaction costs, faster transaction speeds and multi-functionality, W s governments around the world acknowledge the contactless smart ticketing is the future of the global mass- important role that public transport plays in improving the transportation industry. Already operational in key metropolitan A quality of life, there is a global trend for increased investment in areas such as Hong Kong, London, Seoul, Washington D.C. and this important infrastructure sector. A commitment to upgrade Shanghai, contactless smart ticketing offers a win-win solution and expand mass transit systems has risen across the Americas, for transit operators and users, contactless technology developers Europe, Asia, and now in Africa as well. Taking the lead in Africa and financial institutions. is its biggest economy South Africa. Today, virtually all transit-fare payment systems in the For many years, South Africa boasted of the best transport delivery and procurement stages are opting for contactless infrastructure in the African continent. However, over the last ticketing as the primary medium. India’s Mumbai metro, which few years the transport infrastructure has been deteriorating. This is expected to become operational in 2011, will be equipped with is essentially owing to short sightedness and lack of continued a system based on contactless technology with reusable smart investment. It is only now that the transport sector has begun tickets. attracting much needed attention. It is being recognised as a key In September 2009, Societe de Transport de Montreal (STM) contributor to South Africa’s competitiveness in global markets selected smart card solutions provider, Oberthur Technologies, and a crucial engine for social and economic development. This to supply contactless cards for the public transport network of recognition and the imminent 2010 FIFA World Cup have instilled (continued on page 2) (continued on page 4) Tram-Trains in Europe INSIDE THIS ISSUE Features Preferred alternative for providing a sustainable • Contactless Ticketing in Mass Transit ............................................. 1 • Mass Transit in South Africa ............................................................. 1 solution to urban mobility • Tram-Trains in Europe ........................................................................ 1 News ail-based transport is becoming increasingly popular in many • North America ..................................................................................... 7 REuropean countries to meet the mobility demands of growing • Latin America ...................................................................................... 9 population and combat climate change. Tram-trains, a hybrid of • Asia Pacific ......................................................................................... 12 • Europe ................................................................................................. 16 trams and trains, is one of the preferred alternatives in this regard. • Middle East & Africa ......................................................................... 20 Tram-trains can run on existing rail lines as well as on the TA/TSO Focus street, sharing the route with other vehicles and allowing travel • MTR Corporation Limited ................................................................ 22 within towns and cities and between them. They are typically Policy Review powered by overhead electric cables and, less frequently, by • Bus Rapid Transit .............................................................................. 24 diesel. Tram-trains are being developed to run as diesel/electric hybrids. They are popular because they can ease congestion and Spotlight • GCC Metro Plans ............................................................................... 25 provide new mobility options in peri-urban areas. They are also affordable, reliable, safe and environmentally-friendly. Some of Data & Statistics the advantages of tram-trains are as follows: USA: Key characteristics for transit agencies operating • Buses ................................................................................................... 28 • These systems can operate on existing city-centre tram lines • Heavy Rail .......................................................................................... 29 or disused freight lines, avoiding the need for new infrastructure. • Commuter Rail................................................................................... 30 Finance .................................................................................................... 31 • As they are lightweight, the systems offer advantages over Project Update ....................................................................................... 37 heavy rail in terms of lower operating costs, maintenance, and Company News ..................................................................................... 44 energy consumption. Tenders & Contracts ............................................................................. 52 (continued on page 6) www.globalmasstransit.net Features Contactless Smart Ticketing in Mass Current Scenario Transit (Contd...) Hong Kong’s Octopus card is considered one of the most successful electronic cash systems in the world based on acceptance rate. There are over 17 million Octopus cards in circulation which is more than double Hong Kong’s population Montreal, Canada. Oberthur Technologies will deliver the e- of 7 million, as the cards are popular with both tourists and ticketing smart cards over the next four years throughout the residents. Greater Montreal area and Quebec. The Octopus card is based on an open-loop-transit-network Across the globe, contactless ticketing is replacing paper and model. The card operator, Octopus Card Limited, uses its own magnetic formats. In July 2009, Affiliated Computer Services won payment network to process fare transactions. Customers can a 14-year USD200-million contract from Protransporte to provide refill the transit cards with cash, credit or debit cards at fare- Peru’s capital Lima with a contactless ticketing system for the vending machines, terminals at participating retail outlets, or city’s buses. The company will supply and operate a fully through automatic deduction from a credit card offered by one integrated fleet management and ticketing application for the of 22 participating financial institutions. Bus Rapid Transit system in one of the busiest areas of Lima. The line is intended to carry over 700,000 passengers a day and The transit card is used to make payments at retail stores, ten similar ticketing systems are expected to be installed over parking lots, service stations, vending machines, etc. The Octopus the next few years. card can also be used as an access device to enter participating schools, residences and office buildings. In August 2009, a bus service operated by the University of the West of England (UWE) introduced a smartcard system, as London has one of the largest contactless smart card an alternative to cash, for buying bus tickets. Ulink, operated by initiatives in the world. The Oyster card, introduced by Transport the university in conjunction with Wessex Connect, became the for London (TfL) is used for over 70 per cent of the 9 million first bus service in the city to launch such an initiative. journeys made on London’s public transport system every day. More than 10 million Oyster cards are in use today. Technology Used The Oyster card is based on the open-loop-card-network model. Oyster cards can be obtained from the network of Oyster Ticket The contactless smart card is a credit-card-sized card with an Stops across London. In 2007, TfL and Barclays Bank launched a embedded antenna and short-range radio frequency new Barclay’s credit card called OnePulse that paired a standard identification chip (RFID tag). The RFID tag transfers data via credit card function with Oyster prepaid transit. radio waves when the consumer places the card within four inches of the reader. The Oyster and standard credit-debit payments are recorded separately on the card, using Oyster Pay as You Go for transit and These cards are secure as they are typically equipped with Visa Paywave for non-transit purchases. the ability to perform encryption and authentication processes. They also offer the benefits of reduced transaction costs and The huge demand created by mass-transit payment greater flexibility, convenience, durability and speed as they do applications has given a boost to the contactless industry in not require direct contact with the reader. The transaction speed, creating competition to come up with cost-effective new products about 150 milliseconds, reduces boarding time. The feature of and technology solutions. Of the key application areas for ‘interoperability’ in smart ticketing allows commuters to switch contactless cards such as government identity cards, banking, easily between different mass-transportation modes such as health care and mass transit, the contactless payment segment buses, tramways and trains. in mass transit is expected to grow the fastest. Contactless tickets also obviate the need for mechanical