Bluestar launches cashless ticketing scheme

UK-regional bus group Bluestar has launched a new transit card for discounted weekly and monthly travel on its network, according to Southern Daily Echo. The new card enables cashless fare for any service on the Bluestar Network in Southampton, Eastleigh and Winchester. It also supports travel on Wilts & Dorset buses and Southern Vectis on the Isle of Wight, both of which are owned and operated by Go-Ahead Group. It is hoped that fewer cash transactions will help to speed up boarding times and reduce delays at busy bus stops. Read more here.  Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

Results revealed from MTA, MasterCard PayPass pilot

As some may recall back in June 2010, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York launched tap-and-go contactless payments for commuters to enter select subway stations and participating bus lines using MasterCard PayPass-enabled terminals. Well, the results are in. According to Fast Company, the pilot comprised of 26 MTA subway stations and eight bus lines - of the 468 subway stations and 183 bus routes - throughout the city. During the six-month pilot more than 17,000 commuters boarded MTA subway stations and buses using the MasterCard’s PayPal system. Of which, approximately 74,000 taps were recorded.Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

Identive acquires majority stake in German cashless payment provider

Identive Group Inc. has announced a deal to acquire a majority stake in Hamburg, Germany-based payment solution AG, a cashless payment system provider for stadiums, arenas and other types of entertainment venues. payment solution’s systems use contactless smart cards to enable faster payment methods at event sites. The systems incorporate payment management software, smart cards and reader and communication infrastructure. Clients may purchase either a turnkey solution or a multi-year contract where payment solution operates and maintains the system in return for a revenue share.Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

Survey: Germans coming around to NFC, contactless payments

A new survey from Euro Kartensysteme shows that Germans are starting to embrace the idea of contactless and NFC payments. Out of 1,040 Germans aged 18-59, 43% responded that they would like to make contactless payments if given the opportunity, of which 58% percent would make their payments with a debit card card, 41% with a credit card and 50% with an NFC phone.Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

STARCHIP acquires contactless technology through partnership with CEA-Leti

StarChip and CEA-Leti have inked a partnership agreement to develop a contactless front end for smart card applications. The partnership includes technology and know-how transfer to StarChip. With this combined experience in secure integrated circuit development and contactless technology, StarChip will roll out state-of-the-art smart card products to enable applications in transport, banking and identity. The CEA-Leti will bring to StarChip the added benefits of its more than ten years’ experience in contactless technology, in order to extend StarChip’s product portfolio.  Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

Canada parking catches a ride on the Visa payWave

Visa and Imperial Parking Canada Corp. (Impark) are teaming up to offer Visa payWave contactless payments to 72 of its attended parking facilities across Canada. Customers at participating parking lots can now simply wave-and-pay, when purchasing parking at a payWave enabled Impark parking lot. Based on EMV chip technology, payWave transactions are fast and secure - convenient for Visa both merchants and cardholders.Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

Gemalto preps for large-scale EMV deployment in France

Credit Agricole, a retail banking group based in Paris, is teaming up with Gemalto to launch a large-scale deployment of contactless EMV banking cards in France. The deployment will leverage the secure Optelio contactless EMV banking card certified by “Groupement d’Interet Economique – Carte Bancaire” (GIE_CB). With it, cardholders can make purchases by simply waving or tapping their card in front of a contactless reader at the point-of-sale for transactions less than 20 euros (approximately USD $26); purchases above that amount will require a PIN verification.Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

MasterCard unveils payments road map

MasterCard introduced a road map focused on advancing the U.S. electronic payments system. The map, which includes the path for migration from magnetic stripe to EMV technology available on chip cards, will serve as the foundation for the next generation of products and services. As payments evolve to include new devices and new channels, such as mobile and eCommerce, the road map takes steps to address how consumers shop, providing them greater security and control in their payment choices and the potential to integrate loyalty programs and offers into the purchasing experience.Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

British Columbia moves forward on CareCard upgrade

British Columbia is moving forward with plans to upgrade its CareCard program. According to The Vancouver Sun, the new card will provide access to a variety of regional services including electronic health records, driver license and school registration for children. The local government plans to sign a $20 million, six year deal with Toronto-based SecureKey to provide all of the necessary technology, including contactless readers which enable citizens to tap their card to access the government stored information.Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

I Love Velvet mobile payment obtains EMV2 certification

Mobile payment solution provider I Love Velvet announced that it has reached the second level of EMV certification (EMV2) which authorizes PIN and integrated chip payments from debit, credit and smart cards around the world. I Love Velvet’s customers in the payment sector include Bank of America, Moneris Canada, Heartland Payment Systems, Zetes Nederland and TSYS. The company also has clients in hospitality, telecommunications, health care, fashion as well as travel. In addition, the I Love Velvet recently finalized point-of-sales operations for Nespresso and Verizon Wireless.  Read the full article at ContactlessNews…