Author: Ana Stanca
Demand Generation Leader, Enghouse Transportation
One of the long-standing arguments in favor of private cars has always been convenience. It’s easy to leave your home, get in your car, and go wherever you like. Disregarding congestion, fuel, or maintenance, the convenience factor often wins.
However, when public transit becomes convenient and reliable enough, people often shift. Cities like London, Paris, and New York, with extensive, 24/7 transit systems, have far lower car ownership than places without such infrastructure. Effective networks reduce both cost and reliance on private vehicles.
A Shift Toward More Flexible Travel
In recent years, transit systems around the world have started adding more flexibility. Automated Fare Collection (AFC) technology enables ‘tap-and-go’ functionality, letting riders board quickly and pay automatically, with charges based on their trip.
Fare calculation often uses GPS or existing location systems to determine distance traveled and apply appropriate pricing.
How Tap-and-Go Enables Integrated Mobility
Modern AFC systems are increasingly compatible with various payment methods, smart cards, bank cards, e-commerce platforms, and mobile wallets. This enables connected mobility across the entire transit ecosystem. Riders can:
…all with a tap.
Reducing Friction in the Rider Experience
Tap-and-go systems reduce common barriers that make public transit feel rigid. Riders can board without knowing the exact fare, route, or even their final destination. This mirrors the flexibility of private car travel, spontaneous and adaptive.
With EMV-based AFC, there’s no need for:
Riders are charged automatically based on where they traveled. Learn how EMV contactless systems are helping agencies modernize fare collection.
Is Tap-and-Go Right for your Transit System?
AFC and tap-and-go payments are helping transit agencies reimagine public travel, not just as scheduled service, but as a flexible, on-demand experience. As systems evolve, contactless fare models are giving agencies new tools to attract and retain riders.
If your agency is exploring fare modernization, you can learn more about transit management solutions that support AFC, interoperability, and scalable deployment from our experts.
Contact us for a free system evaluation.
