Contactless and mobile payments on Oldenburg’s buses

New INIT ticketing machines at Verkehr und Wasser GmbH

You can now pay contactless on all VWG buses. (Photo: © VWG)

Karlsruhe / Oldenburg, February 2021.

Fast, digital, modern and hygienic: with the help of INIT’s solutions, Verkehr und Wasser GmbH (VWG) in Oldenburg, North-Western Germany have implemented contactless and mobile payments on board their fleet of more than 100 buses. Since January 14, passengers in Oldenburg have enjoyed a new payment option; paying for their ticket with their credit/debit card or with their smartphone. In order to make this possible, VWG replaced all combined on-board computers and ticketing printers with up-to-date EVENDpc3 units that support contactless payments.

Passengers simply tap or wave their bank card or mobile device over the card reader on the new pc-based ticketing machines to pay their fare. They do not need to enter a PIN and payment is received as quickly as it does when purchasing items in any retail setting.

The transaction by card or smartphone app (Apple Pay®, Google Pay™) is transmitted online by the terminal via a payment gateway to the card-issuing bank. The terminal instantly receives information confirming whether the payment has been authorized and passengers immediately receive a printed ticket.

Contactless ticketing in the bus with the EVENDpc3

A contactless payment is made using INIT’s PC-based on-board computer and ticket printer EVENDpc3. (Photo: © VWG)

Prompt exchange of on-board units

The whole system was installed in a very short time, with VWG exchanging the on-board computers/ticketing machines during the Christmas break. The former units were replaced by the new EVENDpc3 generation, launched just a few months before. With their hybrid card readers these new units support EMV credit and debit card payments as well as all types of existing e-ticketing. The hardware migration is a particularly important step with regards to this year’s upcoming switch to up-to-date 4G and 5G mobile radio standards in Germany.

Such an efficient exchange of a bus fleet’s on-board computers has never been carried out in such a short timescale in Germany.

By upgrading our units we are pushing digitalisation onto the public transport sector. In addition, contactless payment options have become even more attractive during the pandemic. With this step, we have tried to make public transport even simpler, more modern and more comfortable.

Morell Predoehl

VWG’s Head of Sales and Marketing

Faster processes and reduced cash handling costs

The advantages of contactless payments are obvious: Cashless transactions mean faster boarding and therefore improved punctuality. Expensive cash handling costs are reduced and contactless payments are generally regarded as more hygienic than cash payments. In addition, drivers can now carry smaller amounts of cash – an important safety aspect for VWG.

Strong and successful relationship strengthened

With the installation of EVENDpc3 and the introduction of contactless payments, VWG has strengthened its long-lasting partnership with INIT. Apart from the Intermodal Transport Control System MOBILE-ITCS, the Oldenburg public transport company has been using MOBILE-PLAN for planning and data management, the fare management and clearing system MOBILEvario, PROXmobil2 passenger terminals, PIDvisio multimedia displays, as well as the mobile TOUCHmobil touchscreen ticket vending machines. INIT‘s Key Account Manager Jens Reinwald is delighted with the success of the project: “For many years, VWG have been innovative in the field of ticketing in German public transport. We are proud to have successfully implemented one of Germany’s first contactless payments systems together with this ticketing trendsetter. We are very pleased with the fast and trouble-free exchange of hardware, the successful system launch and the excellent co-operation between INIT and VWG.”

Hardware migration provides future viability

Public transport companies are well prepared for future challenges when they use EVENDpc3. It does not only contain the most modern card reader but also considers all up-to-date mobile radio standards (4G, 5G). UMTS standard (3G) that was used by VWG until recently is likely to be shut off in Germany in the course of the year. So with regard to mobile radio, upgrading the devices was an important step for the company as well.

Contact

Jens Reinwald

Key Account Manager
INIT GmbH
Germany

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