Google launches NFC-enabled transit payment card in Kenya

Google launches NFC-enabled transit payment card in Kenya Google has launched Beba in Kenya, a pre-paid NFC (near field communication)-enabled card to allow cash-free payment of bus fares by transit travellers. According to TechMtaa, an African technology website, the move was expected, and is rolling out first in Nairobi. The card, which can be loaded with up the local equivalent of US$115, is likely attractive to customers, as it may help them dodge rising rates, or bus drivers that don’t provide exact or
June 11, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
1691 Google launches NFC-enabled transit payment card in Kenya
Google has launched Beba in Kenya, a pre-paid NFC (near field communication)-enabled card to allow cash-free payment of bus fares by transit travellers.

According to 5884 TechMtaa, an African technology website, the move was expected, and is rolling out first in Nairobi. The card, which can be loaded with up the local equivalent of US$115, is likely attractive to customers, as it may help them dodge rising rates, or bus drivers that don’t provide exact or proper change.

Google’s Beba website (%$Linker: External 0 0 0 oLinkExternal www.beba.co.ke beba false http://www.beba.co.ke/ false false%>) provides a complete review of payment history by users when they sign in, as the payment cards have been synced to a web app. By tapping the payment card on bus conductor’s NFC-enabled smartphone, the fare is immediately debited, and a receipt to indicate the present balance and the used fare is sent to travellers via SMS.

Related Content

  • May 16, 2012
    Download the free smartphone app
    There’s a handy, free tool to help you make the most of your visit to the 22nd ITS America Annual Meeting and Exposition – a smarphone app, sponsored by IBM and Skyline Technology Solutions, that is compatible with iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android devices. Once loaded, you will be able to view the entire meeting program by day, track, or search by keywords; plan sessions, special events or workshops to attend; browse the exhibit hall and plan your time with vendors; rate the sessions you attend and prov
    Read More
  • July 24, 2014
    Ticket buying easier with Budapest transport
    Budapest transport operator BKK Centre for Budapest Transport has introduced new ticket vending machines which accept both cash and card payments, enabling all passengers to buy tickets round the clock. The company has added an English language instructional video and interactive demo to its website (link www.bkk.hu/tvm) and the vending machine menus are available in Hungarian and English, with German, French, Spanish, Romanian, Slovak, Chinese and Russian to follow shortly.
    Read More
  • November 2, 2018
    Conduent to deliver fare collection system to Rotterdam
    Conduent Transportation will deliver 1,700 smartcard ticket validators to Dutch transport company RET in Spring 2019. The technology will be used by commuters on buses and trams in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Conduent says its VPE 430 validators, integrated with software from IT services provider Sigmax, will allow riders to pay via a Dutch OV Chipkaart public transport payment card as well as bank cards and smartphones with barcodes or near-field communication. In September, the company extended its c
    Read More
  • November 19, 2013
    NFC shipments will boom to 400m in 2014, says Eurosmart
    Following expected shipments of more than 250 million units in 2013, Eurosmart forecasts that more than 400 million NFC secure elements to be shipped in 2014 (see p9). NFC secure elements include NFC enabled UICCs and embedded secure elements and other form factors of NFC enabled secure elements. Eurosmart believes the NFC ecosystem is maturing: currently mobiles with NFC are available from almost all global handset manufacturers and deployment of contactless POS (point-of-sale) terminals is ongoing. In add
    Read More

Highlighted Content