ContactlessNews | Chennai readies 'Octopus' style ticketing system

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The city of Chennai, India is getting ready to roll out contactless ticketing on its forthcoming Metro Rail transit system, according to The Deccan Chronicle.

Modeled after Hong Kong’s ‘Octopus’ system, Chennai’s prepaid contactless cards will allow commuters to quickly tap on and off of Metro trains. The fare charge is automatically deducted from the user’s account, which can be topped up via automatic ticket vending machines in Metro stations.

Metro Rail officials say the new system is designed to speed up the ticketing process and ensure those who board the train actually have their tickets.

The smart cards will be available for purchase at train stations and small retailers. A single ride on the Metro is expected to cost between Rs 8 to Rs 10 (about 25 cents).

Cubic Transportation Systems has been awarded a $65 million deal, through its Australian division, to provide for passenger rail operations in Sydney.

The three-year contract includes expanded operations, maintenance of ticketing equipment, infrastructure and delivery of associated services by Cubic to RailCorp (Rail Corporation New South Wales). The contract includes provisions to be extended within two one-year options for services.

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City Council hopes for new transit card system in the future

The Invercargill City Council announced it will equip its passenger transport buses with new electronic ticketing machines in the hope that it leads to the introduction a new smart transit card system, according to The Southland Times.

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Bedford Borough, UK will launch a smart card-based ticketing scheme to improve bus services for local residents, after receiving more than £200,000 in government funding.

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