Poland: OTI Expands Use of Mass Transit Cashless Ticket Machines to Refill Pre-Paid Phone Cards
On Track Innovations Ltd. (OTI) has expanded the capabilities of the 84 transit ticket vending machines operated by its electronic ticket systems subsidiary, ASEC S.A., for the Mazovia Railway System in Poland.
Integrated oti NFC contactless card readers now allow travelers and commuters to easily use any NFC-enabled credit/debit card or mobile device to recharge their pre-paid phone cards issued by Mobile Network Operators (MNO) in Poland.
Currently supported pre-paid cards include those issued by T-Mobile, Heyah, Play, Plus, Orange, NJU Mobile and Lycamobile. The machines accept traditional credit/debit card and cash payments and will also support oti’s new WAVE device that makes any mobile device NFC-capable.
“The intuitive touch-screen interface of our ticket vending machines combined with an oti NFC reader makes the card reloading process extremely quick, easy and secure,” said Anat Arazi, president of ASEC. “This new capability also enhances the overall experience of using Mazovia Railway System by making life easier for busy travelers and commuters.”
Over the last year, the ASEC automated ticketing network has enabled more than 62 million trips on the Mazovia Railway. The network and railway span approximately 38,000 square miles in Poland, from Radom in the south to Dzialdowo in the north, and from Siedlce in the east up to Kutno in the west, with the city of Warsaw as the central hub.
ASEC’s ticket vending machines are located in highly trafficked railway stations or stops and can be used 24x7. The sale of the transaction is facilitated by epay Poland, a division of Euronet Worldwide, a leading global electronic payments provider and distributor. “The convenient locations and easy use of these machines supported our decision to cooperate with ASEC and provide services in its favor,” noted Barbara Szewc, marketing manager, epay Poland.
According to Ofer Tziperman, CEO of oti: “This added convenience for ASEC ticketing customers also represents another revenue stream from these ticketing terminals, as well as potentially from other NFC-enabled vending applications.”
Revenues generated from this new capability for refilling pre-paid phone cards are included in the estimated $4.7 million transaction fees revenues for the Mazovia Railway System over five years as was announced by oti in April 2013.
