While mobile tickets of all types are
growing in popularity, the ability to tap an NFC phone containing a mobile
ticket against an entrance gate has tremendous user appeal. For operators, a
mobile phone ticket also provides new marketing and sales opportunities
previously not available using paper or contactless smartcard tickets.
However, that NFC Ticketing must be
thoroughly tested before being launched to the public. For metro and bus
tickets in particular, speed of passenger processing is of the essence and
queues must not be allowed to build up as a result of ticket processing delays
either in mobile phones, gating or back office systems.
“NFC
mobile ticketing is still in its early stages, but it holds great promise
across the entire mobile ticketing market. Metro ticketing is leading the way
as an NFC ticket is a natural evolution from a contactless transport card and
can leverage the existing infrastructure. Add to this the option of
simultaneous payment and you have created a compelling user experience,” said report author David Snow.
