The future of "Go Card"

[Derwan]

Interesting read from http://www.ttf.org.au/Content/improvingcommute0711.aspx

The next step for building on smartcard electronic ticketing successes is the move to an account-based system. This new technology focuses on the 'account' of the public transport customer instead of the 'card'. This new system offers the promise and convenience of interoperability as the 'account' can be utilised through multiple channels, such as credit cards or mobile phones.

Cubic Transportation Systems is introducing open loop contactless EMV (standing for 'Europay, MasterCard and Visa') cards as a new payment media, to be initially accepted on London buses in time for the 2012 Olympic Games, and as part of the full multimodal implementation of Vancouver's system. The technology behind how this operates is very similar to contactless payment technology that allows for 'tap and go' as currently being deployed in Australia and elsewhere for the retail environment. Intermodal public transport fare payment in Vancouver using account based technology is targeted to be tested, accepted and fully deployed by early 2013.

What does this mean?  Initially I thought that it meant you could use your other cards (with PayWave/Paypass) instead of Go Cards, but reading it again it seems to be saying you can use different cards (including other services) that are linked to a single account.  Either way it sounds exciting.

[BrizCommuter]

The Japanese are well ahead in this area.
Apologies for using Wikipedia, but it explains it well
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suica

[SurfRail]

Ultimately I think smart cards will be phased out in favour of Paypass and its equivalents.  TfL is already looking at this as the next generation ticketing system for London and surrounds.  Suica is available through selected mobile handsets - TfL is looking at melding the concepts together so you can effectively pay directly from your account via your phone.

This way, you won't have to have an exercise analogous to converting your own money into what is effectively irredeemable "theme park money".

[dwb]

Ultimately I think smart cards will be phased out in favour of Paypass and its equivalents.  TfL is already looking at this as the next generation ticketing system for London and surrounds.  Suica is available through selected mobile handsets - TfL is looking at melding the concepts together so you can effectively pay directly from your account via your phone.

This way, you won't have to have an exercise analogous to converting your own money into what is effectively irredeemable "theme park money".

Which means a whole lot of money is going to be going to visa and mastercard... probably the same as their current cut, about 5% of transaction. Seems a bit steep to me.

[Gazza]

On the other hand, if mastercard etc were running it then they could also take responsibility for the readers, offsetting the fee cut.
I'd encourage everyone to read this article http://transporttextbook.com/?p=1419 and the very good comments below. It raises some interesting points about what PT ticketing really needs to be. GoCard is nice, but I cant help but wonder if the cities that have yet to move to contactless ticketing will be getting a better deal by just jumping on board systems that integrate with paypass etc...A common technical standard used in day to day life, rather than a proprietary one by a smart card system manufacturer.

[dwb]

On the other hand, if mastercard etc were running it then they could also take responsibility for the readers, offsetting the fee cut.
I'd encourage everyone to read this article http://transporttextbook.com/?p=1419 and the very good comments below. It raises some interesting points about what PT ticketing really needs to be. GoCard is nice, but I cant help but wonder if the cities that have yet to move to contactless ticketing will be getting a better deal by just jumping on board systems that integrate with paypass etc...A common technical standard used in day to day life, rather than a proprietary one by a smart card system manufacturer.

Generally the client pays a bank for the equipment through their merchant agreement. Mastercard/visa only do back office/ fraud protection etc