Transport companies and agencies face multiple challenges during fare collection. This leads to significant losses resulting from fare evasions and fake tickets. However, technological advances have since made the process easier. With automated fare collection systems, the process is now simpler and more efficient. What’ more? It allows for the use of different modes of payment, and you can use your ticket across various modes of transport. What are the advantages of automated fare collection systems? Read on to find out.
- A wide variety of payment modes
With automated fare collection, you have limitless options when it comes to payment. You can either pay using cash, debit or credit cards, printed QR codes, and other platforms like PayPal and AliPay. With all these options, you make payments with ease, and this enhances customer experience and satisfaction.
Also, the use of other payment methods rather than cash enhances passenger safety and comfort. You don’t have to travel with cash, which minimizes the risk of losing your money while travelling.
- Integrated ticketing
Automated fare systems allow for integrated ticketing. You can pay for one ticket and use it across different modes of transport. These are, for instance, buses, trains, and subways. With automated fare collection systems, you can use a smart card to pay for the services.
In most cases, these are debit cards that calculate and recorded the right fare amount. And this is later deducted once you complete the journey. Automated fare collection is a comfortable way of paying for transport services and is easily accessible.
- Facilitates data collection
Automated fare collection systems gather lots of valuable data useful in enhancing service provision and customer satisfaction. Transport operators and planners can use this information to integrate more services and ease the transaction process. This data also helps planners to understand mobility patterns better and identify underserved locations. They also use the data to recognize fare evasion behaviours, which helps in decision-making and better services.
- Improved efficiency& Service delivery
Automated fare systems are associated with faster transactions. This saves a lot of time that would be used using to purchase tickets. Other modes of payment apart from cash have since made transport more efficient, affordable, and more accessible. This improves customer satisfaction and allows for quick services. Besides, employees generate fare tickets faster as compared to cash payments.
- Reduced cases of fraud
Most transport companies suffer huge losses due to fake tickets and fare evasions. However, automated fare collection systems allow travellers to use credit cards, which only works when there’s enough money in the card to cater for the transport cost. Moreover, this type of payment allows transport operators to estimate the total amount of fare collected daily.
Conclusion
Automated fare systems benefit travellers in numerous ways. With this type of fare collection, you enjoy better yet faster services with no need to move around with cash. You can also use your ticket for various modes of transport, enhancing your travel experience and satisfaction. Automated fare collection has made the transport sector more efficient and benefits passengers, planners, and even governments.
