news

APTA signs agreement to promote NFC technology on public transport

Posted: 17 February 2016 | Katie Sadler, Digital Content Producer, Intelligent Transport | No comments yet

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the NFC Forum have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in order to promote and support the use of NFC technology on public transport. On 17 February 2016, APTA and the NFC Forum signed a MoU that will enable the two organisations to jointly educate the industry on […]

APTA signs agreement to promote NFC technology in public transport

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and the NFC Forum have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in order to promote and support the use of NFC technology on public transport.

APTA signs agreement to promote NFC technology in public transport

On 17 February 2016, APTA and the NFC Forum signed a MoU that will enable the two organisations to jointly educate the industry on Near Field Communication (NFC) technologies supporting the needs of public transportation operators.

In public transportation fare collection, NFC technology provides a wireless connection between mobile devices and wireless readers such as those seen in gated fare collection for public transit systems. The adoption of NFC will enable a global public transportation environment in which passengers board public transport with speed and ease.

The use of NFC for public transit ticketing is growing. Recently, New York State announced a plan to support NFC payments for the 11-million-user Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and the UK Cards Association unveiled a framework to implement contactless payments, including NFC, nationwide on all forms of public transit.

Through the MOU, APTA and the NFC Forum will work on joint programmes including training courses, white papers, case study analyses, merchant and transportation customer research, webcasts, and hosted events or trade shows. APTA will work with the NFC Forum Transport Special Interest Group (SIG) to define approaches for utilisation of NFC technology to address a range of needs, including supporting passenger information systems, ticketing, and proof of payment fares. APTA will also participate in global workshops led by the Transport SIG with leading standards organisations, including the GSM Association (representing mobile operators), CEN/TC278 (the organisation promoting Intelligent Transportation Systems), Smart Ticketing Alliance, and public transportation authorities for the purpose of gathering requirements and harmonising work across the groups.

“ NFC technology has the power to transform public transport and the passenger experience”

“NFC technology has the power to transform public transport and the passenger experience,” said Koichi Tagawa, NFC Forum Chairman. “NFC will not only streamline fare collection but also make transport operations more seamless, efficient, and responsive. We look forward to working with APTA to bring these benefits to operators and their passengers worldwide.”

“APTA is pleased to partner with the NFC Forum to help integrate NFC technology into public transportation,” said APTA Chair Valarie J. McCall and board member of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. “It is through partnerships such as this one with the NFC Forum, that technological innovation is accelerated in our industry.”

“NFC will improve the passenger experience by linking passengers with mobile phones and public transit fare payment, and by increasing the opportunities to share digital content to improve the transit passenger convenience” said APTA President and CEO Michael Melaniphy.