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eMoney News

Contactless smart cards in transit systems 'to grow'
10 Jul 2009

New research into the global growth of contactless smart cards predicts that uptake of such transit cards is likely to grow significantly between now and 2015.

The report by Global Industry Analysts stated that transit systems represent the second-largest segment in the contactless smart cards industry, behind the government ID market.

The UK and the rest of Europe are at the forefront of this development, but the rest of the world is catching on to the benefits of using contactless smart cards, according to the report.

Consumers' acceptance of contactless smart cards, the convenience of making payment and high interoperability are among the major factors highlighted by the report as driving growth of this technology in the payments sector.

"Increasing violence, as well as the growing incidence of data thefts, is leading to smart cards emerging as the leading technology for access control in both public and private domains," Global Industry Analysts claimed.

In the UK, contactless smart cards are being trialled by a number of retailers, while some have already rolled out the use of these to their clientele. 

For example, Bolton Council issue smart cards to their citizens that include retail and transit applications.