Tourists and locals alike can often struggle with transport when a ticket is necessary. All it takes is one slip, the ticket is missing and the inspector is asking you to step off the transport. Looking to ensure this doesn’t happen anymore, UbiRider, a mobility fintech will be implemented with MobiAzores bus service on the island of Terceira, in the Azores, Portugal.
This partnership will enable MobiAzores users to pay onboard buses using contactless payment methods. This includes bank cards, smartphones, and smartwatches. In addition to a seamless payment experience, MobiAzores will gain access to real-time consumer insights, giving the company the ability to make actionable changes.
This system enabling these digital payments is called Contactless EMV. It is being adopted by many cities worldwide, however, Terceira is the first Portuguese island to implement the contactless payment system.
MobiAzores manages 45 buses on the island of Terceira which serve the public transportation needs. It connects various parts of the island, including the major towns of Angra do Heroísmo and Praia da Vitória.
Better connection and accessibility beyond major cities
Paulo dos Santos, CEO of UbiRider
“We are thrilled to announce the launch of MobiAzores on Terceira Island,” said Paulo dos Santos, CEO of UbiRider. “MobiAzores is the latest addition to the growing list of Grupo Barraqueiro operators utilising UbiRider’s technology, joining Trevo, Fertagus, Próximo and Urbanas de Beja.
“The Group’s consistent adoption of UbiRider Platform across its operations underscores their satisfaction and trust in the technology. The rapid deployment capabilities of UbiRider’s solution are evident as Próximo launched in just six weeks and MobiAzores in merely three.”
“We are also very excited to see the realisation of our goal – making MobiAzores the first transit operation in the Azores to implement a contactless payment system. Consequently, this will make it the most modern digital platform for public transport management in the islands,” said Andreia Sousa, general manager of MobiAzores.
“Improving mobility is essential for the islands to retain and attract residents and tourists. The UbiRider Platform represents the disruption of the old way of dealing with the processes that we were used to, and I was very happy to see that the transition to this new digital platform was fast, smooth and efficient. Not to mention affordable!
“Thanks to UbiRider and Mastercard, now, we have a modern, powerful and complete digital solution to manage our operation at a cost we can afford. Additionally, our passengers can access and pay for the service easily and be better informed.”
Introducing Tap-on-Phone
In 2022, UbiRider and Mastercard set out to make it easy and affordable for transport operations of any size to adopt contactless payments. As a result, users on public transport can take advantage of the UbiRider Platform, a digital mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) platform for transport providers, riders and cities that helps move people, information and payments, with open-loop contactless payments through Tap-on-Phone tech.
The first operation to combine the UbiRider Platform with Tap-on-Phone technology was launched with Trevo bus service in Évora, Portugal. This initiative set the standard for modernising public transport using a new digital approach to manage transport operations and simplify passengers’ access and payment through contactless and digital payments. Since implementing the UbiRider Platform, Trevo has reduced cash transactions by 20 per cent and Próximo by 30 per cent.
The partnership between Mastercard and UbiRider has successfully introduced contactless payments in Évora, Faro, Lisbon, Beja and now Terceira Island. Furthermore, UbiRider’s approach to incorporating contactless payments is part of its strategy to make transport accessibility available beyond major cities.
“Efficient urban mobility is a priority to ensure that people who live in the cities or visit them have easy access to mass public transport,” said Maria Antónia Saldanha, country manager at Mastercard Portugal.
“It is also good to see Azores making this important upgrade and to facilitate frictionless movement through urban spaces helping users to not waste time queuing to buy or validate transport tickets. Urban mobility is the heart of a city, and today we have solutions, like the one from UbiRider, at our fingertips, making cities more inclusive, sustainable and efficient”.
Looking ahead together
UbiRider, Grupo Barraqueiro, and Mastercard share a common goal: simplifying public transport access and payment methods. By integrating contactless and digital payments, passengers can conveniently use their contactless bank cards or smartphones for travel.
The UbiRider Platform offers a comprehensive digital solution, replacing traditional hardware with off-the-shelf smartphones and powerful software. Additionally, this approach ensures affordability and swift deployment for operations of any size.
Lastly, as UbiRider, Grupo Barraqueiro, and Mastercard continue to work together, they remain committed to advancing the public transportation sector. The ongoing partnership will continue to make public transport more accessible and efficient as well as user-friendly for passengers around the globe.
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