NXP Semiconductors announced that Moscow’s underground has become the world’s first public transport system to run a 100% contactless automatic fare collection system based on its MIFARE technology. Moscow Metro carries on average nine million passengers a day.
The automated fare collection system, implemented by system integrator Smart Technologies Group, extended its existing smart card-based electronic ticketing solution at the beginning of 2008 by replacing the magnetic stripe tickets for one, two and five trips with smart paper tickets based on MIFARE Ultralight ICs. Since its introduction Moscow Metro has sold more than 300 million tickets and has been able to reduce the level of fraud as well as drive down maintenance costs and operational expenses.
Electronic paper tickets have proven a good replacement for conventional single trip-ticketing in public transport based on magnetic stripes, paper tickets or coins. The MIFARE Ultralight has reduced lines while allowing for quicker boarding and exiting for all passengers. ![[end]](/resources/bullet/contactlessnews-4.gif)
