Transit
Using the sQuid network for travel
sQuidcard is approved as a top-up partner for paid-for transit. This will provide a means for customers to top up their cards, either directly or from their sQuid eMoney purse. This functionality is different from that required for ITSO scheme settlement, but is built on the same core eMoney building blocks.
sQuidcard is required to develop and operate the transit purse for stored travel right (STR) purchases. This is called the sQuidcard Travel Settlement Service (TSS).
An initial deployment is planned for Bolton, a first phase of the GMPTE transit smartcard service, with a view to include further phases.
sQuid provdes an ITSO compliant transit solution
The ITSO based framework delivers validated stored travel rights on smartcards, and increments and decrements those rights, in accordance with scheme rules, managing and co-ordinating secure messages through a back office (the ITSO HOPS). In simple terms, this ITSO framework governs all actions regarding the transit smartcard.
Travel Settlement System (TSS)
Travel Settlement System components
Using the sQuid eMoney network
The TSS is built on the core modules of the sQuidcard eMoney system, and interfaces with the ITSO HOPS system. The TSS comprises;
- A secure server system, holding a transit account for each transit user, tied to a specific smartcard STR purse
- An interface with the ITSO HOPS to confirm loads and unloads of value from the card account
- Merchant acquiring of credit and debit card transactions at physical stores and online (if required)
- An interface with the sQuid eMoney system for acquiring of top-ups from a viable sQuid eMoney account
- A settlement module for settlement to beneficiary bank account (this will be manual initially, and automated in due course)
- A consumer portal that enables a customer to view transit purse transactions, balance, effect online load, etc.
- A portal that enables authorised personnel to view balances to be settled, and possibly with ITSO transaction drill-down capability
