Rio’s commuters welcome contactless Visa application

Transit authorities could soon be seeing the benefits of contactless payments – without having to replace expensive turnstiles or terminals. That, at least, is what Visa is suggesting as the company launches its own secure access model (SAM), which is set to be put into service in Brazil. Metro Rio will be the first transit operator to launch contactless payments using the Visa SAM in late April. Visa and Planeta Informatica say the new technology “makes it easy for transit organisations and operators to
March 6, 2019 Read time: 2 mins
Transit authorities could soon be seeing the benefits of contactless payments – without having to replace expensive turnstiles or terminals.


That, at least, is what Visa is suggesting as the company launches its own secure access model (SAM), which is set to be put into service in Brazil.

Metro Rio will be the first transit operator to launch contactless payments using the Visa SAM in late April.

Visa and Planeta Informatica say the new technology “makes it easy for transit organisations and operators to begin offering riders the ability to tap to pay with a contactless card, phone or wearable device, without the expense and technical requirements of replacing current turnstiles or terminal hardware”.

Rather than having to buy new hardware, operators can install the Visa SAM directly into existing systems. Visa called it a “transformational development”.

“Through our work with Planeta Informatica, we have pioneered a way to accelerate the shift to contactless transit that is scalable and highly secure, while generating time and cost savings for transit operators by removing the hurdles of replacing potentially thousands of transit readers across the transport system,” says Nick Mackie, global head of urban mobility for Visa.

Visa launched its mass transit payment framework in 2017. “We worked diligently with Visa to build the best technological solution for adding EMV contactless acceptance on top of any existing closed-loop payment system without necessarily replacing the entire electronic ticketing infrastructure,” said Artur Costa, CEO of Planeta Informática.

The two companies have partnered with 7849 Ingenico Group to implement the Visa SAM in Rio de Janeiro.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Masabi, Keolis and Famoco launch mass market mobile ticket validator
    October 31, 2017
    Masabi and Keolis, through its digital subsidiary Kisio Digital (KD) and Famoco, has launched a mass market mobile ticket validator that reduces the cost of over a thousand dollars per unit on previous models with a new device priced in the hundreds. It is designed with the intention of enabling multi-door boarding, which reduces bus dwell time and increases average bus speed. The device is currently being piloted in the public transport network of Orléans Métropole, in collaboration with Keolis Orléans
    Read More
  • Masabi, Keolis and Famoco launch mass market mobile ticket validator
    October 31, 2017
    Masabi and Keolis, through its digital subsidiary Kisio Digital (KD) and Famoco, has launched a mass market mobile ticket validator that reduces the cost of over a thousand dollars per unit on previous models with a new device priced in the hundreds. It is designed with the intention of enabling multi-door boarding, which reduces bus dwell time and increases average bus speed. The device is currently being piloted in the public transport network of Orléans Métropole, in collaboration with Keolis Orléans
    Read More
  • CTS to upgrade LAMetro’s automatic fare system
    October 1, 2018
    Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) will upgrade the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority’s (LAMetro) automatic fare collection system, in a contract valued $22m. The system links to 25 regional agencies through the TAP smart card. CTS will develop an integrated app over the next 18 months. The company will also launch TAPforce, a cloud-based account which will allow commuters to take part in LAMetro’s Mobility as a Service programmes for parking and bike-sharing. Matt Newsome, general manager
    Read More
  • Indra upgrades ticketing in Chile 
    March 16, 2022
    Indra is to deploy new ticket validators modelled after those installed on the bus network
    Read More

Highlighted Content