Today, it is the contact-less store valued smart card, which can be used not only used as a form of payment in transit systems, but also forms other uses such as the storing of personal data and an implementation tool to a cashless society. Increasingly, the smart card is being introduced to major transit systems around the world, with Asian countries as the early adopters, with transit systems in North America much slower to adopt.
In general all contact-less cards functions the same way. The card has a chip embedded inside molded plastic that stores all of the information such as the remaining balance. The card reader on a turnstile deducts the fare payment to which the point of sale is made and the turnstile opens. The card can be coded to deduct the balance based on the fare payment structure of that transit system.
Some cards can do more than pay for the bus fare, to which the overall function of the card can be endless. In some systems, the card can also be used as a form of payment in restaurants, retail stores, and even as a key fob in offices and condos.
Now that we have a very basic introduction of the smart cards, we can now commence on the second in a series of discussions between the TTC and MTR transit systems, and we will debate the PRESTO card versus the Octopus Card.
Round Two: Smart Cards
Hong Kong - Octopus Card:
Hong Kong has always been regarded as a leader in personal technology for many decades, including one of the first jurisdictions to introduce such smart cards. Launched in September 1997, the card replaced the flimsy magnetic strip cards that were commonly used in the MTR. Since its inception almost more than 15 years ago, 95% of the population uses the Octupus card on a regular basis.
The Octopus card has increased in popularity, and has in general benefitted the greater society for the following reasons:
1. As Hong Kong's transit system consists of up to 13 major private companies (some, such as the MTR and KMB, are listed in the Hang Seng Index, the card has created a uniform method of payment, eliminating the need to carry multiple cards or loose change when you transfer from one system to another. Also, any discounts that are available (ie early bird or multiple same day trips) are automatically deducted when using the card.
2. The card has in general improved the transit experience. With one of the highest population densities and transit usage in the world, quick entry and exit through the system is vital to avoid crush loads at the points of entry. Furthermore, as a society where speed and quickness is expected, the easier it is to use the transit system, the better it is through a customer service point of view. The Octopus card has certainly facilitated this change over the years as a system that is easy to use, and quick to implement.
3. Initially the Octopus Card was used only for the mass transit systems in the city. Subsequently, retailers and restaurants eventually saw the benefits of accepting the cards as a form of payment. They saw how convenient it was to tap the card on a reader for payment, without the need for change or credit/debit (credit card and debit card use in Hong Kong is surprisingly low compared to other societies). Today, it is accepted in convenience stores such as 7-11 and Circle-K, retailers such as Bossini, and restaurants such as Cafe de Coral. The Octopus card is so convenient, that it has truly simplified purchase transaction on the most basic level.
Toronto - PRESTO Card:
In recent years, Metrolinx, the arms-length regional agency devoted to regional mass transit planning for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, slowly introduced its very own version of the contact-less store valued smart card. Due to the large number of public transit agencies, whom many were in not entirely in favour of the program, its rollout was slow and tedious, and certainly not without glitches. Although the card was vigorously tested by its consultants, technical glitches happened often when it was released to the public. Today, it is a much more stable system and is increasingly being used. However, as most of the trips made within the GTA and Hamilton is by car, the card's staying power would be limited to a select few hard core transit users. A family of four who uses the TTC a few times a year, would see no use of the card.
The Presto Card has only started to become known to some commuters, and some benefits are being seen:
1. In order to entice commuters, GO Transit, one of the main proponents of the card, has slowly introduced the card with added discounts to entice commuters, but also eliminate once used paper tickets. Card readers are slowly being installed in many of the transit systems such as Mississauga Transit and TTC (limited subway stations only).
2. In order to preserve customer privacy and to ensure that all transactions and remaining balances are kept, users can register their card online. If there is a discrepancy with the transaction, or if the card is stolen, all of the data can be retrieved, and the card replaced.
The overall acceptance of the PRESTO Card by the general public remains to be seen, since complete rollout of the system has been painstakingly slow. Furthermore, retail and corporate partners to entice future expansion of its usage is non-existent at the present time. It would appear that the main concern now is universal usage of the card on all transit systems in the GTA and Hamilton.
Winner:
This one is hard to gauge since the two systems were introduced at different times, and has had different levels of maturity. For example, Octopus Card was introduced almost 25 years ago and in that period of time, there has been an expansion to its partnership with retailers and restaurants. Its wide usage is also a result of time and proveness of its convenience.
On the other hand,the PRESTO Card was introduced within the past few years, albeit in a very slow rollout to the general public. The card was not widely accepted by commuters and even public transit, which on the outset, had hurt its reputation. However a few years in and the card increasingly it is being used, but its expansion of partnering with retailers is untested, and there does not seem to be a rush to find new partners. But with so few commuters using it, it is unlikely that any partnering with retailers would be profitable.
As a result, we have to say the Octopus Card wins hands down for its convenience, wide usage by the population, and its usefulness as a method of payment with partnering retailers and restaurants.
