The South African city of Durban is preparing to pilot a contactless payments system for its bus network.
The Muvo card will be powered by Standard Bank and delivered by its innovation arm, Beyond Payments, tapping MasterCard's pre-authorised debit system and Paypass NFC technology.
Users will be able to buy cards and load them with money at ticket-selling kiosks along Durban's inner city bus route. Employers and parents can also top up the cards remotely for their staff and children.
Commuters will then pay for their trips by tapping their cards against the electronic ticketing devices installed on the buses.
A six week pilot will start in February next year covering 23 People Mover buses before the technology is rolled out to the entire Durban Transport fleet from April, reaching commuters in Umlazi, Ntuzuma, Kwamashu and Rossburgh.
Herman Singh, CEO, Beyond Payments, says that the most significant aspect of the the Muvo card is the fact that for millions of poor South Africans, it will be their first access to a banking product, offering low costs and no monthly charges.