Smartcard Integration for Better Connected Public Transport System

Project Summary:

The project aimed to showcase the benefits on integrated smartcard systems. As cities start to operate new modes of public transportation, it is common for each transit system to have incompatible fare collection smartcards. This World Bank KGGTF-funded green growth implementation program would assist cities in India, Bangladesh, and Bhutan install an integrated and efficient smartcard system. Research will investigate the status of transport ticketing in several South Asian countries and the status of available smartcard technology. In the end, new standards will be tested in three pilot programs in an effort to set examples of higher-quality transportation service that is more efficient and more integrated with land use, urban development, and green growth.

List of Activities:

• Conduct research on the status of urban public transport ticketing (smartcard and non-smartcard) in the South Asian countries
• Prepare brief summary of transit smartcard system technology and collect international examples of integration initiatives
• Select pilot cases and develop TA program for each case
• Provide technical assistance for pilot cases
• Prepare final report

Outcomes:

Output 1:

• Research on the status of public transport ticketing in countries in South Asia

Output 2:

• Technology summary of transit smartcard system technology
• International examples collected and lessons analyzed

Output 3:

• Pilot case selection
• TA program

Output 4:

• Recommendation on smartcard integration accepted by client government (national, local)
• Technical document on smartcard system

Outcomes:

Proposed activity contributed significantly to the mainstreaming of green growth agenda of World Bank. Proposed activity well positioned to have a potential to lead to larger scale projects. As transport network expands in developing countries, people travel more distance and more frequently, and travel comes to involve multiple modes in a city, and then multiple modes in different cities. As India’s MoUD has an initiative to have a nationwide common smartcard system, it simply provides additional benefit if passengers can use one card for different systems. With recommendations by the proposed activity, client can move to implement it to realize the benefit. Besides, projects listed above include those at preparation or proposed stage, and AAA, it is highly likely that the recommendations can be taken into the project design and implemented once the project is approved.

Collaboration with K-Partners and Others:

• WBG internal partners:

GPOBA, AusAID

• K-Partners:

Proposed activity is expected to be conducted through collaboration with Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT). The task team has contacted Dr. Koo Heonsang, Director (Urban & Metropolitan Transport) of MOLIT, and discussed preliminary concept of this project. An intention of support was kindly offered.

• Other external partners:

Clients of above listed projects