STraffic’s Decade Long Journey in Open Payments for Transit

STraffic's journey in open-loop payments began in 2013 with the deployment of the first open payment platform in the U.S. for the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) in Nevada.

Our Mission

The solution was implemented on the RTC's CX route, a 13-mile express service connecting downtown Las Vegas to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) campus. Serving approximately 1,000 daily riders, this system facilitated seamless transactions using open payment contactless cards for students and faculty.

Despite chip technology being in its infancy in the U.S. and lacking robust authentication mechanisms, STraffic successfully managed transaction risk by collaborating closely with payment networks like Mastercard to validate card authenticity and availability.

Our Partners

System Design and Architecture

The system was designed with a modular architecture to facilitate integration with the diverse legacy systems.
Real-time data processing capabilities were built into the core of the system to ensure that transactions could be processed and recorded instantaneously across the network.
A centralized financial management module was developed to handle funds settlement according to government standards, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Outcomes

Enhanced Efficiency: The real-time processing of transactions improved the overall efficiency of the transit network, reducing delays and improving service quality.
Financial Accountability: The centralized financial management system ensured accurate and timely settlement of funds, meeting all government standards for fiduciary responsibility.
Security and Compliance: The system was fully compliant with national regulations, providing a secure and reliable platform for the public transit network.
Stakeholder Coordination: The project highlighted the importance of detailed planning and coordination among stakeholders, leading to a successful pilot.

Open-loop Payment Technology at STraffic

Building on this foundation with RTC, STraffic shifted its focus to its home market in South Korea, where it deployed open payment acceptance functionality within the Korean transit system to support the T-Money prepaid card. The T-Money card, widely used for both transit and retail transactions, leveraged strong chip authentication and speedy transactions (under 500 milliseconds) to ensure prepaid cards had sufficient balance for transit fares. This deployment, known as OPAS version 2, seamlessly integrated closed and open-loop technology, enhancing the versatility and reliability of transit payment systems.

Innovative Solutions for Modern Transit Needs

In late 2020, STraffic returned to the U.S. market, driven by a significant increase in contactless card usage, as noted by Visa. Drawing on the lessons from the RTC deployment and the Korean transit system, STraffic developed OPAS version 3, a sophisticated open payments platform designed to meet modern transit needs. This platform has achieved Visa Ready certification, a rigorous validation ensuring compliance with the latest industry standards.

OPAS Version 3: Advanced Features and Capabilities:

OPAS version 3 represents the culmination of STraffic's extensive experience in transit payment solutions. It offers a versatile application across various transit modes, including buses, subways, and parking facilities. The platform maintains the high standards of security and performance established in earlier versions, with strong chip authentication, risk management, and transaction speeds under 500 milliseconds.

T-Money Integration and Impact:

The T-Money card is a very popular payment method in Korea, widely used for public transportation across various cities. It is a prepaid transportation card that provides cash-free travel around Korean cities and can also be used to pay for a range of items and services, including taxi charges, items in convenience stores, entrance fees for attractions, vending machines, and food and beverages in restaurants. This extensive use highlights the card’s versatility and the robust infrastructure supporting it.

The integration of T-Money into Korean transit showcased STraffic's ability to handle both transit and retail transactions efficiently, ensuring strong chip authentication and speedy transaction times. The success of this system demonstrated the scalability and reliability of STraffic's technology, which can seamlessly handle millions of transactions daily.

Commitment to Security and Performance:

STraffic's OPAS version 3 is built on a foundation of robust security measures, including strong chip authentication, end-to-end encryption, and tokenization, ensuring the highest level of data protection. The platform supports multi-modal implementation across various transit modes, making it a versatile solution for metropolitan areas.

Vision for the Future:

STraffic envisions OPAS version 3 as the new standard for open payments in public transit, offering transit agencies a cutting-edge solution that enhances rider experience and operational efficiency. With its proven track record of successful deployments in diverse markets, continuous innovation, and commitment to security and reliability, STraffic is well-positioned to lead the transformation of fare collection systems in the United States. As transit agencies look to modernize their payment systems, STraffic's OPAS version 3 stands ready to meet the challenges of today's and tomorrow's transit needs.

By adopting OPAS version 3, transit agencies can lead the way in revolutionizing transit payments, ensuring fast, secure, and compliant transactions that enhance the rider experience and operational efficiency.