Automated fare collection system

An automated fare collection (AFC) system is the collection of components that automate the ticketing system of a public transportation network - an automated version of manual fare collection. An AFC system is usually the basis for integrated ticketing.

Contents 1 System description 1.1 Fare media 1.2 Devices to read/write media 1.3 Depot/station computers 1.4 Back office 1.5 Clearing house 2 Examples

System description

AFC systems often consist of the following components (the "tier" terminology is common, but not universal):

• Tier 0 - Fare media
• Tier 1 - Devices to read/write media
• Tier 2 - Depot/station computers
• Tier 3 - Back office systems
• Tier 4 - Central clearing house

In addition to processing electronic fare media, many AFC systems have equipment on vehicles and stations that accepts cash payment in some form.

Fare media

AFC systems originated with tokens or paper tickets dispensed by staff or from self-service vending machines. These have generally been replaced with magnetic stripe cards.

Since their introduction in 1997 with the Octopus card in Hong Kong, contactless smart cards have become the standard fare media in AFC systems, though many systems support multiple media types.

More recently, contactless smart cards from bank networks have been seen more frequently in AFC.

Devices to read/write media

These take numerous forms, including:

• Ticket office terminals - where a media holder can purchase a right to travel from staff in an office, or enquire as to the value and travel rights associated with the media

• Ticket vending machines - where a media holder can purchase a right to travel from a self-service machine, or enquire as to the value and travel rights associated with the media
• Fare gate - often used in a train station so a media holder can gain access to a paid area where travel services are provided
• Stand-alone validator - used to confirm that the media holds an appropriate travel right, and to write the usage of the media onto the media for later verification (e.g. by a conductor/inspector). Often used in proof-of-payment systems.
• On-vehicle validator - used by a media holder to confirm travel rights and board a vehicle (e.g. bus, tram, train)
• Inspector/conductor device - used by staff such as a conductor to verify travel rights

Unattended devices are often called "validators", a term which originated with devices that would stamp a date/time onto paper tickets to provide proof of valid payment for a conductor.

Depot/station computers

Used to concentrate data communications with devices in a station or bus depot. Common in older AFC systems where communication lines to upper tiers were slow or unreliable.

Back office

Servers and software to provide management and oversight of the AFC system. Usually includes:

• Fare management - changing of fares and fare products
• Media management - support for blacklisting of lost/stolen media
• Reporting - periodic reports on performance of the AFC system, financial details and passenger movements

Clearing house

In environments where multiple system operators share common, interoperable media, a central system similar to those used in stock exchanges can be used to provide financial managementand other services to the operators such as:

• Clearing and settling of funds
• Common reporting
• Apportionment of revenue between operators

Examples

This is a list of a few notable AFC systems. (See List of smart cards for a comprehensive list of AFC and other systems based on contactless smart cards.)

Location	Brand	Notes
Hong Kong	Octopus card	The first to use contactless smart cards in volume
Melbourne	Metcard	A magnetic stripe system supporting the largest tram system in the world
Singapore	EZ-Link	Supports the broadest number of modes, including tolls
New York	Metrocard	A magnetic stripe system in the largest transit system in the USA