Commuters in Durban will soon be able to make use of the city's first large-scale cashless transit tariff system, with the introduction of a public transport smart card.
Unveiled at the Moses Mahbida stadium by eThekwini mayor James Nxumalo, the “Muvo” smart card marks the beginning of the first phase of the municipality's journey towards its Integrated Rapid Transport Network (IRPTN).
The card, developed by Standard Bank's Beyond Payments unit, uses contactless technology to provide tap-and-pay functionality. The ticket machines and reading devices aboard the buses and at self-service kiosks have been provided by transport IT specialist Almex.
“The municipality is rationalising and modernising public transport and has embarked on a journey towards achieving our 2020 vision,” said Nxumalo.
The IRPTN will culminate in nine major transport corridors using trains, buses and taxis. Nxumalo said the first step in the journey is the introduction of the smart card on the city's public buses.
“This is an initiative that is being driven by the Department of Transport at a national level and will see eThekwini joining other South African cities in the implementation of an automated fare payment system.”
First step
Passengers will be able to buy their cards from ticket-selling outlets and top them up at various locations around the city.
“It is valid for three years, compared with the bus coupon, which expires after two weeks,” noted Nxumalo, adding that in time the smart card will be usable across all modes of public transport.
The smart card will be piloted in February next year on the People Mover buses, which will be equipped with the electronic ticketing devices. Roll-out to other Durban buses will begin from about April next year, extending to Umlazi, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu and Rossburgh.
Pensioners, people with disabilities and scholars will also be catered for with the new system, through a concession card programme that will follow an application process.
World class
Head of the eThekwini Transport Authority Thami Manyathi said: “Durban joins a number of other cities around the world that are using automatic fare payment systems, such as Curitiba, Singapore and Bogota.
“We are proud to see our city ranking among major cities around the world in this initiative.”
While the adoption of near-field communication payment technologies, such as the Google Wallet, may take years to be adopted, CEO of Beyond Payments at Standard Bank, Herman Singh, says transport is a sector in which contactless payments may be taken up on a large scale in SA, due to its convenience.
“We will first see wallets on cards in really great numbers,” says Singh. “Africa will be a great terrain for this.”
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