Contactless Smart Cards, RFID, Payment, Transit and Security

Kelowna's SkyTrains, buses to go contactless in 2013

Monday, December 21, 2009

Kelowna in British Columbia, Canada is planning to outfit its SkyTrains and city buses with TransLink’s smart card technology in 2013, according to kelowna.com.

The Kelowna Transit Authority will issue a request for qualifications on the project this month, with a request for proposals to follow in spring 2010. The total cost of the project is estimated at $173 million.

The smart cards will be available at all transit stations and through other distribution sources. Smart-card electronic readers will be installed into the fare gates at SkyTrain stations and by the doors on buses.

Riders will still be able to able to pay for fares with exact change, but paper tickets and passes will no longer be accepted in 2013. Users can add money to their TranksLink cards via their mobile phones or online. Kelownians can even use their cards to pay for all forms of public transportation in Vancouver.

Read more here. [end] 

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