Ajman Transport Authority & BPC digitize payments for UAE commuters

By Gloria Methri

UAE’s Ajman Transport Authority has partnered with BPC to implement modern payment technology on public buses, enhancing intelligent services in the transportation sector.

BPC has developed a technical solution to enable commuters to use contactless bank cards when travelling by public transport buses of the Ajman Transport Authority’s fleet.

BPC’s devices and integrated open-loop automated fare collection solution, O-CITY, enable the acceptance of payments from all bank cards on public transport buses. With the introduction of O-CITY, commuters benefit from a unified ticketing experience, eliminating the need to visit a ticket office by paying using a bank card directly on the bus.

The O-CITY mobile app allows customers to link bank cards, monitor their card balances, locate and track public transport vehicles, view previous trips and payments, and purchase e-tickets online.

His Excellency Omar Mohammed Lootah, General Director of Ajman Transport Authority, said, “The introduction of mobile ticketing eases user registration, transparent interactions between commuters and drivers, and reduces costs associated with handling cash. It marks a significant step in the era of contactless payments, greatly enhancing the convenience of public transport and is expected to encourage more citizens to use it more frequently.”

Hany Al-Deeb, Managing Director for Mobility, Digital Eco-Systems, & Smart Cities Solutions at O-CITY, stated, “Our company is dedicated to developing exceptional technology and customer service, assisting financial institutions and companies in delivering innovative solutions. The Smart City Solutions division, established by our company, plays a crucial role in providing an open-loop platform that enables contactless payments via bank cards and wearable devices in public transport for the transport authority.”

The hardware-agnostic O-CITY solution utilises EMV open-loop technology to facilitate a seamless ticketing process for passengers in Ajman and across the UAE. The system includes bus status verification devices, a passenger application, and a back-office management system for the Ajman Transport Authority, ensuring centralised fare management and service scalability for the operator.