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

  • ITS Asia Pacific Forum 2020: early bird registrations
    October 3, 2019
    Early bird registrations are open for the 17th ITS Asia Pacific Forum 2020 with the opportunity of saving up to $AUS200 (£109). ITS Australia says the forum, whose theme is ‘ITS Innovation Creating Liveable Communities’, “will demonstrate Australia’s new initiatives and adapted learnings from the advances of our neighbouring megacities”. Key topics will include Mobility as a Service, autonomous vehicles, data analytics and network development. The event will take place at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibit
  • EU awards finalists announced
    February 26, 2014
    The European Commission has announced the six finalists of two awards which honour the actions of European cities in developing and promoting sustainable approaches to urban mobility. This year’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) award recognises cities with SUMPs illustrating the ‘integration of economic, social, and environmental policy criteria’, the theme of the 2013 awards. The award is presented to local authorities which demonstrate excellence in developing and implementing their sustainable
  • Karhoo launches door-to-door mobility service in France
    May 22, 2019
    Karhoo has joined forces with SNCF Mobilités to bring door-to-door transport services to travellers across France. Boris Pilichowski, co-CEO Karhoo, says: “Enabling door-to-door transport for SNCF customers takes us a step closer to a truly integrated network while improving the passenger experience ten-fold.” Karhoo has created a platform which it says enables travellers on SCNF’s high-speed trains to book first- and last-mile journeys by taxi or private hire vehicle. Called Mon Chauffeur, the service
  • Aimsun merges all companies in the group into one name
    October 27, 2017
    Aimsun has announced that all companies in the group are no longer called TSS-Transport Simulation Systems are now consolidated into the Aimsun name. They also have a new UK office based at Aimsun Ltd, Waterhouse Square, 138 Holborn, London, EC1N 2SW.