EANS-News: Hoeft & Wessel sets e-Ticketing standard in South Africa
15.11.2011 – 08:57
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Research & Development Subtitle: - SmartCard Muvo card with EMV contactless presented in Durban - Key milestone for Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network Hannover/Germany, 15/11/2011. (euro adhoc) - Hoeft & Wessel AG, together with the Standard Bank and the National Department of Transport in South Africa, realises trailblazing e-Ticketing solution based on the EMV contactless system. Within the scope of the Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN), the intermodal system will initially be introduced amongst bus operators in metropolitan Durban. In future, passengers throughout South Africa are to be able to use this e-Ticketing standard. In doing so, the state at the southernmost tip of the African continent plans to introduce one of the world´s most modern payment systems for passenger transportation. The presentation of the SmartCard "Muvo card" in Durban is an important milestone for the IRPTN project throughout the country. The first SmartCards will be issued starting in February 2012. Buses will simultaneously be equipped with on-board computers and integrated Almex ticket printers from Hoeft & Wessel. In total, more than 600 on-board computers of the type almex.optima have already been delivered. In the opinion of Thomas Wolf, member of the Board of Management of Hoeft & Wessel AG, the project delivers proof of the high-tech expertise of this IT specialist: "We are honoured by the trust and confidence of our South African customers. It shows once again that we, as a German SME, are also able to set standards on an international scale as far as technology and quality are concerned." Muvo and the IRPTN use the EMV contactless payment functionality for the SmartCard. The card is issued by MasterCard and provides a contactless payment function known as PayPass. This also makes the system suitable for contactless credit cards from the outset for passengers travelling on buses. The Muvo card is topped up like an electronic wallet or purse at special recharge terminals. Next, all a passenger needs to do is hold up the card in front of the scanning device, and his or her ticket is immediately registered and paid. Not only does the eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) of the metropolitan region around Durban make commuting with Muvo attractive by introducing innovative payment methods; it also results in the creation of a dense network of ticket points of sale, intensive public relations work and advisory services to passengers on site by service personnel such as the Muvo card ambassadors. In doing so, the ETA wants to position Durban as the world´s leading location for modern e-Ticketing solutions. "Durban joins a number of other cities around the world that are using automatic fare payment systems, such as Curitiba, Singapore and Bogota. We are proud to see our city ranking among major cities around the world in this initiative," explains ETA Head Thami Manyathi. Media section with photos: http://www.presseportal.de/pm/12945/hoeft_wessel_ag/ The Company The Hoeft & Wessel Group is the leading IT hardware and software technology specialist for ticketing, parking and mobile solutions in Germany and the United Kingdom. Established in 1978 by the two entrepreneurs who gave the company its name and listed on the stock market since 1998, the enterprise has grown into a group of companies generating sales of just under EUR 100 million and employing a workforce of 500 employees. Its main locations are Hannover and Swindon, west of London. Further inquiry note: Arnd Fritzemeier Tel.: +49-511-6102-300 E-Mail: PR@hoeft-wessel.com end of announcement euro adhoc -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- company: Höft & Wessel AG Rotenburger Str. 20 D-30659 Hannover phone: +49-511-6102-0 FAX: +49-511-6102-411 mail: ir@hoeft-wessel.com WWW: http://www.hoeft-wessel.com sector: Technology ISIN: DE0006011000 indexes: Prime All Share, Technology All Share stockmarkets: regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, free trade: Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Hannover, München language: English