Smart Cards for Transit and Smart Phones for Electronic Payments in a Cashless Society

Defense Department Adding Electronic Payments and Transit Application to Common Access Card

September 28, 2010

Contactless News - The U.S. Department of Defense is requesting information on adding payment capabilities to the Common Access Card, according to documents released by the agency.

The idea of adding an electronic purse and transit application to the CAC was brought up at the Smart Card Alliance Conference. The agency is seeking information from vendors on how to add this functionality to the credentials, which could eventually be deployed on PIV credentials throughout government.

“Under this RFI, DOD is exploring options to provide an end-to-end enterprise solution by adding electronic payment functionality to identity cards using commercially-adopted, standards-based systems to enable the CAC/PIV card to act as an open loop, pre-paid, payment card. Further, this payments solution could be federated across the Government and cascade throughout the entire PIV family of cards,” the document states.

The Defense Department wants an application that can work as a prepaid solution, funded from single or multiple sources. “The payment solution must be EMV-compliant on both the contact and contactless interfaces and fully functional at all EMV point of sale terminals or ATMs world-wide, where EMV is adopted,” the document states.

The RFI can be dowloaded here

Government Smart Card Interagency Advisory Board (IAB) Meeting, September 27

September 30, 2010

FIPS201.com - The September meeting of the influential Government Smart Card Interagency Advisory Board (IAB) was recently held in Washington D.C. FIPS201.com was on hand to cover the event and has provided, as a service to the IAB and the smart card community, an audio recording of the presentations.

Click here to hear the presentations and view the slides.

University of Washington Delays Smart Card Transit Project

September 30, 2010

Contactless News - The University of Washington is experiencing a few set backs in its plan to eliminate the U-PASS sticker and replace it with smart card technology, according to a university newspaper.

The U-PASS – physically a sticker that is affixed to the back of the Husky Card, UW’s official ID card - is a bus pass that provides students, faculty and staff with low-cost transportation options from buses, commuter train service and light rail.

Last year, the university announced it was doing away with the U-PASS sticker and replacing it with smart card technology that would enable administration to better determine the given status of a person’s card, such as if it is lost or stolen, or if a person’s

However, school officials say that UW’s large and diverse population has made this a challenge, requiring extra time and planning, and also pushing up total costs. Administration says that after purchasing and printing of cards, programming, staffing and planning the total cost will be about $500,000 - almost double the original budget.

Transportation Services and the Husky Card Account and ID Center have tentatively pushed back the distribution of new Husky Cards until spring 2011. Students will receive a new Husky Card at no cost, regardless of whether they plan to participate in the U-PASS program.

To read more click here.

ASK Issues 6.5 Million Smart Cards for Mexico's Metrobús

September 29, 2010

Contactless News - ASK, supplier of contactless smart cards for Mexico’s Metrobús, has reached the milestone of 6.5 million cards issued since its launch in 2005.

According to ASK, the eco-friendly transport system services all of Mexico City via two reserved bus lanes, with a third expected to open in January.

The company is also helping Mexico celebrate the centennial anniversary of the revolution by issuing two newly designed collector smart cards specifically for the Mertobús system.

Welsh City to Launch Contactless Fare Cards for Buses

September 27, 2010

Contactless News - The city of Cardiff, Wales is planning to launch its own version of London’s Oyster transit card next month, allowing bus passengers to pay for fares with a swipe of a contactless card, according to Wales Online.

The new cards will feature a re-loadable electronic purse that can be used to store bus tickets, including single rides and monthly passes, as well as cash.

The city council of Cardiff, which recently launched a contactless car rental system, expects the new cards will encourage more people to use public transportation.

Read more here.