Athens' public transport network is moving into the 21st century, ditching its current cash only fare system for a mobile ticketing platform from MasterCard and Masabi.
The deal is the first for a new global partnership between MasterCard and Masabi, combining the former's payment technology with the latter's JustRide mobile ticketing platform.
Transport for Athens is switching its entire urban transit network from the current cash only system, enabling one million daily travellers to purchase and display tickets for immediate and future journeys through their phones.
The switch will help Transport for Athens to massively reduce its cost for handling cash, enabling new investments into its infrastructure and services, says Masabi.
Hany Fam, president, MasterCard Enterprise Partnerships, says: "By combining our expertise, MasterCard and Masabi are removing the friction that slows down how people move around, while also improving quality of life in cities and helping authorities to better manage population growth and urban development."