MasterCard Wins Bid to Support Southern Taiwan Transportation Ticketing Card Project

MasterCard International has won the bid for the Kaohsiung City Government (KCG) transportation project in Southern Taiwan. Teaming up with a consortium of industry players, MasterCard will introduce the world’s first MasterCard OneSMART PayPass Chip Combi Card, a dual interface smart card, as a payments solution for Southern Taiwan’s transportation system.

Upon implementing the Smart IC Card system and issuance of the MasterCard OneSMART PayPass Chip Combi Card, citizens of Southern Taiwan will be able to easily pay for transportation usage on intercity coaches, local buses, trains, harbour ferries, and public car parks. Further integration of the project will be implemented by the consortium once Taiwan’s High Speed Railway, the KCG Rapid Transit system and other transportation application systems are completed.

Kao Jung-Fong, General Director of Transportation Bureau, Kaohsiung City Government, said; “The launch of the MasterCard OneSMART PayPass Chip Combi Card in Southern Taiwan is an important milestone for Southern Taiwan’s citizens, the transportation and financial industries and the Kaohsiung City Government. This program will help unify Taiwan’s transportation system through an integrated payment system. Most importantly, this initiative will encourage consumers to take mass transportation from city to city, leading to increased domestic travel.”

Tina Chiang, vice president and business manager, Greater China, MasterCard International, said; “This win is a reflection of the advanced technology and expertise that MasterCard, together with the support of our consortium of industry players, can bring as Southern Taiwan re-creates its transportation payments system. As a fully integrated contact and contactless chip solution, the MasterCard OneSMART PayPass Chip Combi Card will bring cardholders added convenience, flexibility and security when going about their daily activities.”

The MasterCard OneSMART PayPass Chip Combi Card will integrate both contact and contactless chip payment solutions for electronic transportation payments. Combining MasterCard credit, debit, and Mondex® stored value functions, as well as access to the Cirrus® Global ATM network, the MasterCard OneSMART PayPass Chip Combi Card will serve as an all-in-one payment card.

With multiple application and functionality features, the MasterCard OneSMART PayPass Chip Combi Card will be powered by the MasterCard M/Chip 4 payment application, as well as by MasterCard PayPass, the company’s contactless payment solution. M/Chip 4 is at the core of the MasterCard global smart card program and represents the latest generation of EMV payment applications.

Implementation of the Kaohsiung City Government (KCG) transportation chip-based project has already begun. The Transportation Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government (KCG), on behalf of seven cities in Southern Taiwan, is the official project owner. MasterCard, in collaboration with Mondex Taiwan, will provide a combined payment and e-purse solution for issuers and acquirers. Cathay United Bank, E.Sun Bank and Bank of Kaohsiung will focus on issuance of the MasterCard OneSMART PayPass Chip Combi Card, as well as marketing and customer services. Acer will be the systems integrator, device provider and project manager, while China Engineering Consultants, Inc. (CECI) will be in charge of programming the electronic transportation terminals. 

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