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

  • California Road Charge Pilot Project – request for proposals
    November 10, 2015
    D’Artagnan Consulting has been retained by California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) as the prime contractor to assist the Caltrans with formulation, design, management and implementation of the California Road Charge Pilot Program. A key element of the program is the California Road Charge Pilot Project, which will demonstrate and evaluate an operational road charge system with 5000 volunteer vehicles from summer 2016 to spring 2017.
  • Ertico launches ITS standardisation newsletter
    July 2, 2013
    To ensure that ITS stakeholders and end users maintain an awareness of the European and international ITS standardisation that plays a key role developing specifications and norms for future services and products, Ertico-ITS Europe has launched its ITS standardisation newsletter which provides news, background information and discussions about ITS standardisation topics. Published every 3 months, it includes stakeholder interviews to provide first-hand information and an event listing.
  • USDOT to launch Public Transportation Improvement Initiative
    September 4, 2015
    The US Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will launch a multi-faceted Expedited Public Transportation Improvement Initiative (XPEDITE) on 8 September with the aim of gaining comment from the transit industry and others interested in public transportation on ways to improve program delivery.
  • AVs for seniors from Via in New South Wales
    July 18, 2019
    Autonomous vehicle (AV) developers seem to targeting ‘closed’ communities such as retirement complexes or universities and Via is also joining this trend. The company has launched a free AV service called BusBot for a retirement community in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. In partnership with local bus operator Busways, Transport for NSW and EasyMile, BusBot is operating in the Marian Grove Retirement Village in Toormina, a suburb of Coffs Harbour. Via says its technology allows the vehicle