Few industries today are more dependent on card technologies than the transportation industry. Employees are issued ID badges so that customers know who to turn to for assistance. Contractors, along with employees, typically use proximity cards to gain access throughout the facilities designated for authorized personnel only. Daily customers use passes for weekly, monthly even annual usage, while students, senior citizens and disabled citizens often receive free or discounted passes.

Transit passes come in all forms that vary from city to city. The more traditional transportation systems rely on prepaid bus and subway passes that utilize magnetic stripe technology. The rider swipes the card every time he or she boards a bus or enters a station and the fare is deducted from the card. It’s also common for these cards to function on a monthly basis, so that the card is effective for limitless rides until the month comes to an end. For serious commuters, there can even be an option for year-long passes that must simply be shown to the driver in order to board. High value cards like these are prone to fraudulent reproduction so security features such as lamination and embedded holograms are typically added.

Many transportation departments are implementing passes that cross over multiple transit systems. In many cases a student ID provides free access to university shuttles, metro buses, and the subway system. Or, say you’re a commuter who rides the ferry and bus systems daily – a single card that works for both is a nice luxury which is becoming more and more common.

More advanced technology is also helping in this push towards multifunctional cards, creating a broader reach for transit passes with rechargeable smart cards and proximity cards leading the way. Smart cards can store a significant amount of information and offer a high level of security while providing enhanced functionality, while proximity (RFID) cards provide the added convenience of enabling users to pay fares with the simple wave of the card in front of a reader.

To learn more about how we can help your organization make the right decision on a card issuance system for your facility, please call to speak with one of our experienced account managers, initiate a chat or click here to have someone follow up with you by email.