About Mobility & Transport Transaction Technology (MTT)

MTT is a flexible solution developed by Visa for single and multi-modal public transportation environments. The Mobility & Transport Transaction technology gives transport operators an edge, as they can offer their passengers a range of flexible fares, including fixed, distance, and time-based, temporary, and multimodal fares. The technology also supports the fare capping payments system that rewards passengers with free rides after they meet a fare equivalent of a daily, weekly or monthly pass. MTT has functionality to provide benefits and refunds for transport delays.

How MTT Works

To access a transport service, passengers tap their Visa contactless cards, devices or wearables linked to the card. The fee is not charged at the time of travel, as the tap data is accumulated, and the total fare amount is calculated and charged by the transport operator at the end of the travel period.

MTT Benefits for Transit Operators and Commuters

The MTT technology provides a fast and convenient experience for passengers, and cost and labor efficient fare collection for transport operators. Intended for multimodal transportation, MTT is a part of the Mobility as a Service (MaaS) roadmap. MaaS is a family of apps and services that aim to turn all travel planning and payment activities into the all-in-one digital experience.

Combined with contactless payments, the MTT technology provides riders with greater flexibility and convenience while removing the need to plan, book, purchase, or carry and keep track of a variety of standalone passes and tickets.

Earlier this month, Visa announced that it reached the one billion contactless transaction milestone in public transport for the first time in one year.

Read also about IBA Group’s involvement in VISA’s Transit and Tap to Phone partner programs.  IBA Group is in the lookout for more joint projects with Visa and new breakthrough technologies that transform cities into a smart environment.

Retailers and other businesses that use the tapXphone app can collect payment from customers who use the following modes of payment: bankcards, credit cards, smartphones, and other wearable NFC devices that include smart watches, bands, and rings.

TapXphone works with Visa, Mastercard, GooglePay, ApplePay, SamsungPay, and others, to create a comfortable, familiar, efficient payment experience for customers. The contactless payment solution is cost effective, especially for small businesses that do not need to invest in the cost of POS hardware.

Further, tapXphone fully complies with the security requirements of Visa and Mastercard international payment systems for transaction safety and customer peace of mind.

In order to meet the needs of contemporary contactless payment expectations, tapXphone accepts payments with PIN-on-Glass, for any amount. PIN-on-Glass technology guarantees the same level of payment security that the traditional POS terminal does, without the cost of additional hardware and maintenance.

IBA Group develops proprietary products like the contactless payment processing solution tapXphone, as well as systems integration. IBA Group is a partner for leading global IT service providers.

Learn more about the tapXphone application and download the app at tapXphone.com, powered by IBA Group.

IBA Group partners with companies around the world to deliver smart, sustainable, and multi-faceted solutions.

Building Partnership

IBA Group has been cooperating with VISA since 2014.  The first project dealt with open-loop card validators that later became a part of the IBA Automated Fare Collection (AFC) system.

Even before Visa and IBA Group signed a cooperation agreement, the IBA team was nursing the idea of a smart city. Visa became a partner that helps translate the idea into reality.

In 2020, VISA appointed IBA Group as a Visa Ready Certified partner for two partner programs, namely Tap to Phone and Transit. The certification confirms that the company’s solutions meet Visa’s global standards in terms of security and functionality.

Transit Partner Program

Within this partner program, Visa assisted IBA in the creation of smart mobility solutions for public transit. Visa provided global standards for contactless payments in terms of security and functionality, as well as access to Visa product and go-to-market expertise.

To date, IBA Group achieved certification for its Open Loop Card Validators and Automated Fare Collection (AFC) system.

Open Loop Card Validator

IBA Group manufactures both hardware and software of the device. A card validator is mounted onboard a vehicle or at a subway gate to accept fares. Other features include display of the card balance and of payment results using a running text line, a light indicator, and a sound signal. Visa developed strict security requirements for card validators, and IBA Group complied and achieved Visa certification.

IBA Automated Fare Collection System

The IBA Automated Fare Collection (AFC) system is an integrated suite of software and hardware that complies with the latest international standards. IBA Group implemented the AFC system in 2014, aiming to make the public transport ticketing system more convenient for visitors of the 2014 IIHF World Ice Hockey Championship.

The city authorities use the data provided by the AFC system to analyze passenger traffic, work of fare inspectors, and operability of the entire system. Passengers enjoy easy payment, initially by transport card and eventually by bankcard or other NFC-enabled device (currently in the subway, on city rail lines, and on one tram route). The card validators and the entire AFC system are Visa-certified.

Tap to Phone Partner Program

Within this partner program, Visa provided to IBA its innovative technology that enables mobile devices to accept contactless payments without additional hardware. The technology meets global security standards for contactless payments.

Visa offered IBA Group to cooperate on a breakthrough technology called Tap to Phone. After the relevant solution went live, IBA Group expanded it to accept MasterCard and other payment schemes in addition to Visa cards, and released its tapXphone solution.

tapXphone

The IBA’s tapXphone is a secure digital solution built on the Visa’s Tap to Phone technology that turns an NFC-enabled smartphone into a POS terminal and therefore the payment process requires no additional hardware.

SMEs like small workshops and boutiques use tapXphone to accept payments by card from clients who prefer cashless transactions.

Transit + Tap to Phone

IBA Group went further and took a bold step. Why not combine a Transit solution with a Tap to Phone solution? As a result, the company modified tapXphone to function in public transport, where passengers pay fares using contactless bankcards and fare inspectors accept fares using mobile phones.

Further Plans

IBA Group provides customization and support for the Visa’s application called Apple Express. The solution enables passengers to pay fares with Apple mobile phones without having to wake or unlock their device. The travelers can pay even with discharged mobile phones.

IBA Group is in the lookout for more joint projects with Visa and new breakthrough technologies that transform our cities into a smart environment.

Talk to us about how your business and your customers can benefit from our solutions based on Visa technologies.