Ajman City in the United Arab Emirates has become the first city in the UAE to implement a modern payments system on its public transport buses. The city’s transport authority has introduced O-City, a smart city mobility solution developed by BPC.

The Ajman Transport Authority solution employs EMV open-loop technology to enable seamless ticketing for passengers in Ajman and across the UAE. It provides simplified payments and real-time trip tracking for commuters and operators.

The system includes bus status verification devices, a passenger application, and a back-office management system for the Ajman Transport Authority, ensuring centralised fare management and effortless service scalability for the operator.

Ajman is the fifth largest city in the UAE and is the capital of the emirate of Ajman. The city is a major hub in the UAE due to its geography, and the city is a freeport on the Arabian Gulf.

The solution simplifies use of contactless bank cards on public buses including certified devices and an integrated open-loop automated fare collection solution.

Commuters are now able to use O-CITY mobile app, which allows them to link bank cards, monitor their card balances, locate and track public transport vehicles, view previous trips and payments, and purchase electronic tickets online.

HE Omar Mohammed Lootah, General Director of Ajman Transport Authority, said: “The introduction of mobile ticketing brings ease of user registration, transparent interactions between commuters and drivers, and reduced costs associated with handling cash. It marks a significant step in the era of contactless payments, greatly enhancing the convenience of public transport and is expected to encourage more citizens to use it more frequently.”

Hany Al-Deeb, Managing Director for Mobility, Digital Eco-Systems & Smart Cities Solutions at O-CITY, stated: “Our company is dedicated to developing exceptional technology and customer service, assisting financial institutions and companies in delivering innovative solutions. The Smart City Solutions division, established by our company, plays a crucial role in providing an open-loop platform that enables contactless payments via bank cards and wearable devices in public transport for the transport authority.”