29.01.2012     THE FIRST SINGLE ELECTRONIC TICKETS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT WILL TEST THE CITIZENS OF BARANAVICHY

For the first time in Belarus, the system of single electronic tickets for all types of public transport will be implemented in Baranavichy, BelTA learned from the Acting Head of Operations Department of Information Systems of the republican unitary enterprise “Information Centre of the Aircraft” (Bel. — республиканское унитарное предприятие «Информационно-вычислительный центр авиации»), which is involved in the project, Vital Shkuratau (Bel. — Віталь Шкуратаў).

Development of a system common travel document for travel by public transport in Belarus has already begun. Such a ticket would be a contactless plastic card. Passengers will be able to use it in buses, trolleybuses, trams, subway. When making travel a user applies e-card to a special electronic composter, and the balance is subtracted depending on the distance or travel time. This will take into account the mode of transport and route, the source said. The use of the e-ticket will be at the entrance and exit of vehicles. If the balance on the card will be zero, the passenger will be able to pay the fare by buying a ticket from the driver of transport.

All electronic composters will be connected by a special system whereby staff can monitor all movements of passengers. The card balance will can be filled up by replacing it with another at the box office, or adding the ballance in the self-service terminals, a network of which will be specially build during the project.

It is expected that in the coming years, the system of single electronic ticket for travel by public transport will cover all the major Belarusian cities. And the first such pilot project will be implemented in Baranavichy. “By the end of 2013 we should fully implement and test such a system in this city, — said Vital Shkuratau. — Then the new system will cover all public transport of the country, and in the future — share taxis, domestic long-distance transportation.”

When designing a new system of Belarusian specialists use leading European experience, including Russia. The project will be using domestic developments, including software.

As reported, the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Finance, the regional executive committees and Minsk City Executive Committee prepare proposals for the establishment of differentiated fare pay in public transport as a function of distance (time) of travel. The project will allow to organize a differentiated fee depending on the distance (time) of travel, ensure payment of travel with modern banking technology (SMS-banking, internet banking, bank cards, plastic), encourage use of reusable electronic travel documents by a greater number of passengers. In addition, it is planned to improve the collection of payment of public transport through a flexible system of payment for travel, improve return on public transport.