Transport Card for Contactless Fare Collection
Public Transport Card for Passenger Fare Systems
A transport card is a contactless 13.56 MHz credential used in automated fare collection systems. It may be issued as a reusable smart card for regular travel or as a limited-use ticket for single journeys, visitors, or short-duration passes.
The correct card construction depends on the validator, ticketing software, security architecture, and passenger-use model.
Cards can include operator branding, usage instructions, passenger details, card numbers, barcodes, QR codes, and other variable data. Electronic compatibility must be confirmed against the target fare system before production.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Contactless transport card |
| Primary Use | Passenger ticketing and automated fare collection |
| Frequency | 13.56 MHz |
| Interface | ISO/IEC 14443 Type A for the listed MIFARE chip families |
| Reusable Card Chip | MIFARE DESFire EV2, EV3, or another system-approved option |
| Limited-Use Chip | MIFARE Ultralight family |
| NFC Information Option | NTAG213, NTAG215, or NTAG216 for links and passenger information; not intended as a standard secure fare credential |
| Standard Material | PVC |
| Other Formats | PET or paper-based ticket construction, depending on project requirements |
| Standard Card Size | CR80, approximately 85.6 × 54 mm |
| Reading Method | Short-range tap with a compatible validator |
| Printing Options | Full-color artwork, text, photograph, barcode, QR code, and serial number |
| Encoding Options | Application initialization, data writing, card numbering, and database matching |
| Security | Depends on chip version, application keys, fare architecture, and system configuration |
| Customization Options | Material, size, artwork, chip, encoding, numbering, finish, and packaging |
| MOQ | 500 pcs |
Operating at 13.56 MHz does not make a card compatible with every ticketing platform. The chip family, application structure, security keys, validator firmware, and backend software must match.
Typical Applications
- Metro and Rail Networks
Reusable cards can support station entry, exit validation, travel passes, stored value, or passenger-account identification. - Bus and Coach Services
Passengers can tap the credential on a vehicle-mounted validator for fare deduction, route access, or journey registration. - Tram and Light-Rail Systems
Contactless cards can be used with platform validators, onboard readers, or integrated urban ticketing networks. - Ferry and Water Transport
Operators can issue cards for terminal access, boarding validation, stored journeys, or account-linked travel. - Multimodal Mobility Networks
One credential may support several services when the selected chip and fare architecture allow multiple applications.
How Transport Cards Work in Fare Collection Systems
A card stores a travel credential, fare product, stored value, or passenger-account reference according to the ticketing system design.
When the passenger taps the card, a compatible validator reads or authenticates the credential and records the transaction. The system then applies rules such as entry approval, fare deduction, transfer handling, or journey registration.
The card is one part of the infrastructure. Validators, security keys, fare-management software, communication networks, and transaction-processing systems are also required.
Which Chip Should You Choose for a Transport Card?
| Chip Family | Recommended Role | Main Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| MIFARE DESFire | Reusable fare card | Supports authenticated transactions, reusable credentials, and multi-application systems |
| MIFARE Ultralight | Limited-use ticket | Suitable for high-volume single-trip, visitor, or short-duration credentials |
| NTAG213 / 215 / 216 | NFC information card | Better suited to web links and passenger information than secure fare collection |
MIFARE DESFire is suitable for reusable fare cards, multi-service credentials, and systems requiring stronger authentication. The exact version must match the validator and backend infrastructure.
MIFARE Ultralight is commonly selected for lower-cost, limited-use tickets. Memory and security capabilities depend on the specific version.
NTAG213, NTAG215, and NTAG216 are generally used for NFC links and information sharing. They should not be treated as equivalents to transport-specific fare-card chips.
Need Transport Cards for Your Fare System?
Contact JIA RFID to review your validator platform, ticketing model, and passenger-use requirements.
The technical team can recommend a reusable MIFARE DESFire card or limited-use MIFARE Ultralight ticket, then prepare printed and encoded samples for compatibility testing before bulk production.
Frequently Asked Question
The top questions about Transport Card
A transport card is a contactless credential used with a compatible fare system to validate travel, store a travel product, or reference a passenger account.
A public transport card is issued for metro, bus, tram, rail, ferry, or integrated mobility services.
The phrase transportation business cards may refer to branded cards issued by a transport operator. For passenger ticketing, “transport card” or “public transport card” is the more accurate term.
Yes, when both services support the same card application, security keys, data structure, and fare rules within an integrated ticketing platform.
Yes. Printed data can include photographs, names, card numbers, barcodes, QR codes, usage instructions, and operator branding.
It depends on the chip, application permissions, and system configuration. Data updates must be handled by authorized fare-system equipment and software.
Yes, when the chip and fare platform support card-based stored value. Some systems instead store the passenger account and balance in the backend.
NTAG213, NTAG215, and NTAG216 are generally better suited to information links and NFC engagement. Secure fare collection normally requires a transport-approved chip and system architecture.
The minimum order quantity is 500 pcs.
Confirm the validator model, required chip and version, fare-system protocol, application structure, security requirements, card format, artwork, encoding data, and quantity.
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