Ukraine faces numerous issues with public transportation that have accumulated over decades. Among the most pressing are schedule compliance by drivers, cash flow accounting, and control over fare exemptions.

1. What’s the alternative?

The implementation of an Automated Fare Collection and Control System (ASOOP) offers a solution for managing unregistered fare-exempt passengers and for comprehensive public transport administration. Back in December 2021, the Stryi Territorial Community launched a unique fare payment system, including the installation of handheld validators on bus routes operated by local carriers.

2. What is it?

A validator is a special device that reads and verifies tickets, enabling fast and transparent fare payment in public transport.

3. How does it work?

The driver can fully operate the validator using a dedicated application. This allows them to follow scheduled routes monitored by the carrier’s administration, stay connected with dispatchers, and report incidents on the route such as accidents, traffic jams, or roadworks.

4. Where is it already in use?

After the test launch, experts from Ukrainian Geoinformation Systems LLC installed handheld validators in public transport vehicles operating throughout the Stryi, Hrabovetsko-Dulibivska, and Morshyn communities.

5. Who initiated the project?

The project was initiated by the Stryi City Council in collaboration with Ukrainian Geoinformation Systems LLC and the Stryi ATP carrier.

6. What are its capabilities?

The handheld validators offer extended functionality for managing public transport. Regarding payment, passengers can use personalized Socium social cards (for beneficiaries), general transport cards, or bank cards to pay the fare.

7. Is ticket validation needed?

No. Unlike monotariff systems, in a multitier fare system all tickets are automatically validated upon purchase. The system's efficiency lies in the fact that passengers don’t need to walk around the bus or manually validate their tickets. Purchased tickets are instantly validated.

8. Who manufactures the devices?

The developer aims to use Ukrainian-made equipment wherever possible. Unfortunately, there are no Ukrainian analogs of validators at present. Ukrainian Geoinformation Systems LLC currently collaborates with Sunmi, a subsidiary of Xiaomi, which produces validators and other business devices.

9. What functions are already active?

This system is unique in that it supports fare zoning, integration across multiple communities (OTGs), and cooperation with various administrative levels. Besides tracking fare-exempt rides and processing various payment types, it also manages buses on routes by providing real-time updates to drivers about early or delayed arrivals. Payments using Socium social cards and transport cards are already available. Bank card payments will be launched shortly.

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