Bucharest, Romania – Automated Fare Collection system

Upon the city hall’s request, UTI designed and implemented a complex automated fare collection system whose main objectives were to optimise public transportation vehicle routes and reduce travel times, ensure priority to public transportation, reduce the environmental impact of traffic, and get easily integrated with the other ITS applications operational in the city.

The solution UTI proposed is a modern automatic fare solution for public transportation, based on full contactless technology, being the first such system implemented in Romania. Conceived as a multi-operator solution, SKAYO allows different transportation operators’ integration and provides appropriate clearing services.  The system security concept integrates, together with card security features, strong security features based on a PKI infrastructure (digital signature, data encryption) for the Back-Office processed data.

The automated fare collection system implemented for the public transportation company, currently provides fare integration with METROREX (Bucharest Subway Network) and, at a later stage, with other 6 operators.

Features

• Transportation network and fare products management
• Fare products automated control and validation in the transportation means
• Fare products sale (on-line/ off-line/ through distributors) tax-submitted sale system in compliance with the Romanian legislation in force
• Implementation of flexible pricing politics
• Tariff integration of the transportation operators
• Data processing with regard to the behavior of the travelers, the vehicle driver, the supervisors
• Report generation with regard to the use of the fare products

The implementation in Bucharest, in figures

The largest implementation of a full contactless system in Eastern Europe as RATB is one of the largest public transportation operators in Eastern Europe

• More than 1,000,000 cards in use
• 100 controllers
• 7500 validators
• 2100 vehicles
• 103 card centers
• 200 sales kiosks
• 10 cashier offices
• 45 subway stations
• 22 depots

Online and ATM transportation card recharge

In 2009 UTI developed a solution to recharge the Active cards online or via ATMs. UTI developed a portal based on state-of-the-art technology and with a user-friendly and intuitive interface.

The transactions performed on the portal are secured through the 3D Secure protocol and the owners of a nominal transportation card can recharge them by using any MasterCard or Visa card. Also, UTI provided the software application for the ATM card recharging, while the partner bank (The Romanian Commercial Bank) provided the payment application.

UTI and The Romanian Commercial Bank intend to issue a co-branded card that allows the payment of the trip on the bus. These developments are meant to improve the traveling conditions for the passengers and to strengthen UTI’s positioning as a trustworthy community partner.

Benefits

• Modernization of the services provided to citizens
• Reduction of traffic jams and pollution
• Integrated payments by use of single contactless card
• Enhanced attractiveness of public transport
• Reduced travel time