IBA Group Integrates Visa MTT Technology in Public Transit
In cooperation with Visa, IBA Group implemented an automation solution built on the Visa Mobility & Transport Transaction (MTT) technology at the Azerbaijan Railways, the national state-owned rail transport operator in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan, the International Bank of Azerbaijan, RBC Group, and AzeriCard acted as partners in the project.
The Visa’s MTT technology allows for accumulating fares of a commuter into one transaction with the total amount charged at the end of the day. The project is the first in Azerbaijan to feature the MTT technology.
IBA Group launched a contactless fare payment project for the Azerbaijan Railways in July 2021, installing card validators at all stations of the Absheron Ring Railway, one of the busiest rail routes in the country. Initially, passengers were able to pay for a one-time trip with a contactless bankcard. Using the Mobility & Transport Transaction technology, they pay once for all their rides during a day, as fees for trips made within one day are accumulated in one transaction. This way, transit operators can give benefits to the commuters who make multiple trips within a day. As for commuters, they are relieved of the need to purchase and keep track of a variety of standalone passes and tickets.
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.