Magnetic cards could replace cash in bus

This project was presented at the Ministry of Transport by Oyster Management Limited, a newly created company. These documents are being studied by officers of the Department of Transportation. The National Transport Company (NTC) and several bus operators were notified of the study.

The goals of Oyster Management Limited are: to design and integrate computer systems for public transport, providing the infrastructure for the payment of fees at ATMs, card readers, smart and a central processing system and statement of revenue and other data, customer support, software support and operational services.

“This magnetic card system is already working in England, Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia. In Mauritius the Oyster cards allow the government to have a more efficient system,” said Inteaz Badulla, director of Oyster Management Limited.

"With the Oyster card, we can control the payment of the bus ticket as free transportation program in the country. The system will be automated and all buses will be equipped with a device, Global Positioning System (GPS) and the National Transport Authority (NTA) can control all the buses.”

Maurice has three types of passenger - private clients, students and seniors. "It's always a problem regarding the subsidy that the government should give owners of buses under the program of free transport. With this magnetic map of Oyster, the government will have the exact figures on the number of passengers - students and seniors - who use buses from various operators on any given day. In this way, it will be easier for government authorities to know how subsidies should be allocated among particular carriers," said Inteaz Badulla. As the government has decided to go ahead with the LRT project, we can also use this card in advance LRT Inteaz Badulla.

“With the Oyster card, there won’t be cash flow in the bus. All vehicles will be equipped with a magnetic card reader for a passenger to validate their ticket."

To equip the 1,900 buses in service of a magnetic card reader, a sum of Rs 25 million will be needed. Towards the end of January 2011, Oyster Management Limited will host a workshop with the participation of all partners in the public transport industry.