More than one-third of all ticket sales of the Wrocław Municipal Card (“URBANCARD”) and close to 65 percent of sales of single and time-limit tickets – cashless payments in mobile validators operated by Mennica Polska (Mint of Poland) are becoming increasingly more popular among public transport users in Wrocław. On 8 March 2020, two years have passed since this new innovative payment system, where the payment card itself – and not a traditional paper ticket – serve as the proof of ticket purchase, was launched. And its growing popularity among passengers proves that the launch was a step in the right direction.

Quick and intuitive ticket purchase, 24/7 availability and no need to print the ticket – these are undoubtedly the key features and advantages of the Open Payment System (OPS) operated by the Mint of Poland. Two years ago, Wrocław – the capital of Lower Silesia – was the first large city in Poland to have put the system in operation, and thus to benefit from this convenient and innovative payment method for ticket purchases in public transport. This pioneer implementation serves now as a benchmark for the entire sector.as a benchmark for the entire sector.

Convenient payment for ticket purchase during the bus or tram journey

The benefits to both the passengers and the city are confirmed by URBANCARD ticket sales data. Cashless payments in OPS-operated mobile validators enjoy huge popularity among public transport users, with more than 35 percent share in total tickets sales and close to 65 percent in sales of single and time-limit tickets (according to data covering the period from November 2019 to February 2020). Over the last four months, all ticket sales via other new technology channels (Internet, mobile phone) accounted for around 13 percent of total ticket sales while the share of sales of paper tickets was slightly over 15 percent.

In 2018, public transport users still showed a strong preference for using paper tickets as proof of purchase. The replacement of a paper ticket with a payment card caused many fears at the rollout stage of the Open Payment System in Wrocław and its opponents voiced loudly their concerns about the system’s security. Time has shown, however, that their worries about the safety of using the payment card as proof of purchase during ticket inspection have proven completely unfounded.

– As an innovation-driven but, first and foremost, responsible company, we strictly adhere to all the most stringent guidelines which guarantee the highest possible safety of all our operations. Passengers’ growing confidence in using the quick and convenient ticket payment method offered by the Mint of Poland is confirmed by positive user experiences in Wrocław. Similar innovative projects are currently being rolled out in other locations. And the benefits arising from the use of the Open Payment System are there to reap for all cities and towns, regardless of their size – comments Jacek Sieński, Sales Department Director of the Electronic Payments Division, Mennica Polska S.A.

Open Payment System for large and small

Open Payment System serves now as the hallmark of all progressive cities and towns, and not only due to the convenience, it offers to both residents and visitors. It is also an environment-friendly option.

– As it follows the motto: Select, Touch, and Ride, OPS is not only an easy and quick option of ticket purchase while already onboard, but it also saves the environment as no paper is wasted to print the proof of ticket purchase. Moreover, full compliance with the guidelines of international payment organizations regarding the security of payment card and payment cardholder data is ensured at all times. This is confirmed by the certificate of compliance with the PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) in the Merchant Level 1 category, obtained by the Mint of Poland. The PCI DSS Compliance Certificate covers not only smart OPS validators, but also all other mobile and stationary machines with the ‘Mennica Polska’ logo – Jacek Sieński adds.