The pilot application for the use of bank cards and smartphones for public transport is just around the corner.

With the signing of a contract between OASA and the project contractor HST AE, a member of the TERNA ENERGY Group, for the technological upgrade of the Automatic Toll Collection System (ATSS), Athens Communications is bringing a new era to the transportation services provided to the public.

The new ASSK upgrade applications, as stated in the relevant announcement of the OASA, allow the use of bank cards and mobile devices for travel by means of public transport under the authority of the Organization (metro, tram, buses, trolley) and provide the system with the ability to support MaaS (Mobility as a Service), for interfacing with applications of mobility partners such as taxis, rental electric bikes, airlines and ferry companies, etc.

In particular, the alternative possibility of using a contactless bank card for every MMM boarding is a decisive step in upgrading the services of Athens Transport, with significant benefits in serving the passenger public.

Passengers, in addition to ATH.ENA Ticket or ATH.ENA Card, will be able to use a bank card, even if it is integrated, through an App, on their mobile phone.

The immediate benefits for the passenger

With the implementation of the use of bank cards for boarding MMMs, the passenger public will not need to:

  • To obtain a ticket through the issuing offices or issuing machines (AMEK).
  • To know the available moving products in order to choose the appropriate one. The system will be able to analyze the travel data and the debit to the bank card will be proportional to the routes, choosing the optimal one. An extremely useful feature for passengers who are not familiar with the Athens transportation system, such as visitors from other cities and tourists.
  • To look for points of sale, in order to travel by MMM.

The first phase of the implementation will be applied to the vehicles of Airport Express bus linesuntil the end of March 2024, while all applications will be available to passengers until the end of the year 2024.

“The implementation of the new applications is part of the broader actions of the OASA Group with HST SA, for the provision of high-level services with domestic added value.

The creation of an integrated and accessible transportation system with the adoption of modern and innovative technologies that improve the transportation services provided, aims to better serve the residents and improve the travel experience of Attica’s visitors,” the announcement states.

The managing director of OASA, Giorgos Spiliopoulos, said “OASA, with the technological upgrade of the Automatic Toll Collection System (ASSC), joins the European metropolitan urban transport operators (London, Lisbon, Brussels, etc.) that have introduced best practices of smart cities. The new advanced application of contactless transactions for each boarding of MMMs under the jurisdiction of the OASA significantly improves the passenger experience, as no tickets will be required, contributing positively to the Organization’s environmental footprint”.

For his part, the managing director of HST SA, Dr. Alexandros Karyotakis said and emphasized “In an era of dynamic technological development, the direction towards digital innovation with domestic added value is a strategic choice of HST and TERNA ENERGY, which since 2014 has been participating in a high-tech Project, actively contributing to the digital transformation of the urban transport of Athens.

With the technological upgrade of the existing system, to one of the most modern European-level and “open” state-of-the-art fare collection systems, the range of travel options is broadened, improving the quality and level of service offered to passengers who use them every day the urban transport of Attica”.