Commuter transport in eThekwini has taken a giant leap forward with the launch of the Muvo cashless card.

After successfully piloting the card in June 2012,the eThekwini Transport Authority is rolling out its first cashless transport smartcard to other Durban commuters using its People Mover buses.

The Muvo card is a key driver in the plan to improve public transport in the city. The KwaZulu-Natal Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC, Thembinkosi Mchunu, underlined public transport’s central role, pointing out:“Three out of four residents use public transport on a daily basis. Our services must therefore be safe, reliable, efficient, fully integrated, accessible and affordable.”

The Muvo card is a first for South Africa as it can be loaded with both cash and transport products, making transport within the city both cashless and ticketless.50 000 cards will be issued to the public free of charge until 30 September and can be obtained from Muvo kiosks at bus depots, at 10 of the municipal Sizakala centres and at14mobile Muvo smartvans.

Powered by Standard Bank and delivered by its innovation arm, Beyond Payments, and transport IT specialist Almex, the card isan anonymous debit MasterCard. It is pre-funded and reloadable, and can be used as a standard EMV MasterCard, as well as in a contactless environment enabled though the MasterCard PayPass contactless technology.

Using cash, cardholder scan load trips for journeys on Durban’s bus system as well as load a cash balance to purchase goods and services at any vendor displaying the MasterCard sign. Trips using the Muvo card are sold at a discount to fares charged using cash or tickets.

When using their cards, commuters pay for bus trips by tapping the card against the electronic ticketing device installed on the buses, which automatically debits the correct amount from the funds or trips stored on the card and presents the commuter with a receipt. The entire process is much faster and neither commuters nor bus drivers have to handle cash or bus tickets. This is believed to be the first time that transit tickets are hosted inside a banking application on an EMV contactless card and the first time that a card of this nature has been deployed in South Africa in full compliance with the national Department of Transport’s (NDoT) regulations.

Compliance with the department’s regulations also allows for the system to be adopted by any municipality in South Africa.

Up to R3 000 can be loaded onto a Muvo card in one month, and it can carry a maximum balance of R1 500. The maximum payment per transaction is R200.For additional security, Muvo card owners will have to enter a PIN number when they load cash and this PIN will have to be entered when purchasing items other than bus trips. No PIN is required for the ‘tap and go’ option on the buses.

Thami Manyathi, head of eThekwini Transport Authority, explained the city’s vision for an Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN).“Initially, the Muvo card will be used on our buses, but as the IRPTN is phased in, it will be extended to other modes of transport, including trains and, ultimately, taxis. To educate commuters about the Muvo cards, we have initiated an extensive publicity campaign and have deployed brand ambassadors across the city,” he said.

With no monthly charges, the card offers a new level of security and convenience for citizens who choose to use it as their primary carrier of banking services.

MEC Mchunu said that the introduction of the Muvo card is just a first small step in a long process.“Over the next 10years, the province and the city of eThekwini will be working with communities to deliver a world-class integrated transport service to the entire province for the benefit of all its citizens,” he concluded.

Pull quotes:

“Three out of four residents use public transport on a daily basis. Our services must therefore be safe, reliable, efficient, fully integrated, accessible and affordable.”

KZN Transport MEC Thembinkosi Mchunu

“Initially, the Muvo card will be used on our buses, but as the IRPTN is phased in, it will be extended to other modes of transport, including trains and, ultimately, taxis.”

eThekwini Transport Authority Head Thami Manyathi

“Looking at the introduction of the Muvo card on a broader scale, it is clear that this product can act as an entry into the banking environment for South Africa’s unbanked population.”

Mike Hughes, Standard Bank