Top Industry Leaders in the Public Transport Market
*Disclaimer: List of key companies in no particular order
Latest Company Updates:
September 2023- Korea employed a tagless payment system in its subway stations, becoming the first country to implement such a technology. The tagless payment system was initiated at 12 stations on Seoul's Ui-Sinseol light rail line, with the exclusion of Bomun Station, useful from 4th, in cooperation with transportation card contributor Tmoney and the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The system reduces the requirement to substantially tap transportation cards on turnstiles when passing through subway gates. As an alternative, an overhead antenna identifies Bluetooth signals from passengers' smartphones, repeatedly making the transaction. Passengers must download the "Mobile Tmoney" application and turn on Bluetooth to use the touchless system. Those who already have the app can update to the new technique to gain access to the feature.
On the other hand, the feature is not yet available for iPhones with the iOS system. He added that, with just a phone, payment becomes easy for everyone, such as those with an umbrella and luggage in hand, individuals employing crutches or wheelchairs, and even young children or older people who may find operating machinery challenging. Conventionally, transportation card payments in Korea have relied on Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, where passengers should physically touch their cards to readers within a close range, usually nearly 20 centimeters. In distinction, the newly launched touchless system uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, competent for identifying signals within a more extensive range, approximately 10 meters.
Top listed global companies in the industry are:
- Seoul Metro (South Korea)
- Transport For London (UK)
- The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (US)
- MTR Corporation (Hong Kong)
- Metropolitan Transportation Authority (US)
- Chicago Transit Authority (US)
- Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) (US)
- Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (US)
- and others.