US Payments Forum Provides First in Series of Technical Frameworks for Implementing EMV Contactless Open Payments in Transit

PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J., Oct. 10, 2017 -- As U.S. and Canadian transit markets look to move to open payments systems in today’s EMV chip environment, they have unique transaction speed and security requirements for successful implementation at fare gates and on-board vehicles. The U.S. Payments Forum has released today the first in a series of resources that identify and provide guidance for technological solutions that could be used to implement EMV contactless open payments in transit. The white paper released today addresses pay-as-you-go/single-ride faresⁱ scenarios using EMV contactless cards, and the technological framework needed to make contactless open payments in this scenario a reality.

The white paper, “Technical Solution for Transit Contactless Open Payments Use Case 1: Pay As You Go/Card,” and can be downloaded at http://www.uspaymentsforum.org/technical-solution-for-transit-contactless-open-payments-use-case-1-pay-as-you-gocard/.

“The transit industry today is working to improve the user experience and reduce barriers between transportation systems by transitioning to an open fare payment system. To do this, security, transaction speed and integration need to be addressed,” said Randy Vanderhoof, director of the U.S. Payments Forum. “The objective of this resource series is to help the transit and payments industries understand and identify the technological requirements and approach for open payments and contactless EMV chip cards to be a viable option to supplant or supplement the transit closed-loop system.”  

The white paper provides:

• Background on the transit environment, including features that are unique to a transit retail environment
• A description of Use Case 1 – Pay As You Go/Card – with transit merchant, acquirer/processor and issuer requirements and considerations
• A technical functional proposal following the three pillars of a secure EMV transaction: card authentication, cardholder verification and financial authorization

“This collaborative effort of key stakeholders including transit agencies, payment networks, issuers, acquirers and solution providers acknowledges the important role that transit merchants can play in fostering broader adoption of contactless payments. As an informal group of transit agencies across the U.S. and Canada that are implementing or exploring open payments systems, the Transit Roundtable believes this white paper can be an important first step in building a framework to enable the U.S. and Canadian markets to follow the lead of other markets globally in making open-loop a viable complement to existing closed-loop transit payments solutions. The Roundtable looks forward to continued critical engagement by the payments industry that will inform transit agency decisions regarding next generation fare payment systems,” said Joshua Martiesian from one of the Transit Roundtable’s founding agencies, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and co-chair of the Transit Contactless Open Payments Working Committee.

The next white paper in the series will focus on mobile devices, with additional topics to be announced.

The resource series is being developed by the Transit Contactless Open Payments Working Committee, whose goal is for interested stakeholders to work collaboratively to identify possible solutions that address the challenges associated with the implementation of contactless acceptance terminals at gated customer points of entry within the unique retail environment of the U.S. and Canadian public transit market. For more information about the Transit Contactless Open Payments Working Committee, visit http://www.uspaymentsforum.org/working-committees-sigs/transit-contactless-open-payments-working-committee/.
                                            
About the U.S. Payments Forum
The U.S. Payments Forum is a cross-industry body focused on supporting the introduction and implementation of new and emerging technologies that protect the security of, and enhance opportunities for payment transactions within the U.S. The Forum is the only non-profit organization whose membership includes the whole payments ecosystem, ensuring that all stakeholders have the opportunity to coordinate, cooperate on, and have a voice in the future of the U.S. payments industry.

Contact:
Megan Shamas
Montner Tech PR
203-226-9290
[email protected] 

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ⁱ A single ride fare purchased with a contactless card or other form factor issued by a financial institution by “tapping” at the transit point of entry. The single ride fare may be fixed or variable.