Fare collection has been essential in the running of transport operators since the very beginning – if riders want a journey, they typically need to pay a fare.
That being said, as the world makes strides in technological advancements, so has the way transport companies approach ticketing systems.
In this article, we’ll explain how smart ticketing systems have evolved in the transportation industry, and why they’re the best option for your organization.
How has Smart Ticketing evolved?
Smart ticketing operates in a similar manner to the standard process of buying a paper ticket – riders pay a fare, then use your service – except through a more advanced, accessible, and efficient method.
With the use of automated fare collection, you can now receive fares from riders through swift, digital transactions.
In more traditional forms of fare collection, you’d need a physical machine to exchange cash for a physical ticket. Alternatively, riders would need to pay an attendant at a till.
However, with an innovative smart ticketing system, fares can be completed digitally and cash-free, and with every transaction, you can have fast processing and validation for your business.
Automated fare collection allows a variety of different payment types to give riders flexibility. For instance, it can enable contactless payments through digital wallets or smartphones – such as Apple Pay.
What are the Benefits of a Smart Ticketing System?
By implementing a smart ticketing system, you can bring a wide variety of benefits to you and to your customers, including:
1) More Efficient Payment
With smart ticketing systems, you can create a more efficient way of completing payments for both you and your riders.
When a fare needs paying, riders will have access to a clear and accessible platform that shows them available fares to choose from. Once they’ve made their payment, they can instantly use their ticket to board your service and be on their way.
Once the fare has been paid, the transaction is executed with the utmost efficiency. You’ll have fast access to payment information, and the cloud-native software will also secure the sensitive data involved in the transaction.
On top of this, it’s cash-free, so no need to process any physical money.
2) Accurate and Insightful Data
Smart ticketing can also offer a range of useful data for transport operators, so not only do you know how fares are being paid, but how effective the experience is for riders.
You’ll have a well-organized structure for your fare collection, where you can see things like the revenue collected over a certain time period, how much you’re receiving from each form of transport or each route, and which times of the day are most profitable.
This helps your company stay ahead of the curve and prepare for an efficient service at all times of the day, to accommodate riders in peak and quiet times.
3) Sleek and Versatile Devices
When implementing smart ticketing systems, the devices used are both elegant and sleek, to create a streamlined process of paying for and riding transit.
The devices used to accept payments can be attached to a variety of different places. For instance, they can be set up in vehicles, mounted on poles, or stationed on the platform – whichever location will give the best rider experience.
This means no interruptions, queues, or awkward flows of public traffic when using your automated fare collection system.
If you’re a transit agency or transit operator looking to significantly improve how you collect and manage fares, then smart ticketing systems are the ideal next step in improving your transportation services.
