Skip to main content

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.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Conduent to deploy fare collection system across Flanders
    December 19, 2018
    Conduent Transportation is to install a fare collection system in the Flanders region of Belgium which will enable contactless bank card payments and account-based ticketing. Conduent will also operate the system for ten years on behalf of Flemish transport company De Lijn. Commuters will be able to use bank cards based on cEMV (contactless Europay, MasterCard and Visa) or use a contactless public operator payment card by the end of 2019. An aggregated payment method which accumulates transactions over t
  • Countdown to 2015 ITS America Annual Meeting & Expo
    May 1, 2015
    There’s less than a month to go before the 2015 ITS America Annual Meeting & Expo gets under way in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania gets underway in what will be a unique and visionary event. The theme is Bridges To Innovation so for the more than 2,000 of the nation’s top transportation and technology business leaders and investors, policymakers, public agency representatives, and researchers, this will be one of the most forward looking Annual Meetings.
  • High cost of EVs is the biggest turn-off, UK research finds
    March 29, 2012
    A high price tag was the biggest disincentive for majority of over a third (37 per cent) of surveyed motorists when it came to considering buying an electric car, a recent survey run by TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk reveals. In second place with 29 per cent was the limited range that electric cars offer compared to conventional, internal combustion engine cars. A lack of charging facilities (20 per cent), concerns about the car’s battery lifespan (11 per cent) and a lack of model choice (three per cent) also co
  • Ride-hailing companies could face taxes in San Francisco
    October 9, 2018
    Ride-hailing companies could be taxed for starting their journeys in San Francisco following a bill signed by California governor Jerry Brown. The bill - AB 1184 - calls for a 3.25% tax on net rider fares for single-party trips, or those provided by an autonomous vehicle, as well as a 3.25% tax on shared rides. Additionally, the city or county would be able to set a lower tax rate for net rider fares for those provided by a lower emission vehicle. A report by the San Francisco Chronicle says the