EMV Credit Card Transit Payment
Open-loop - the passenger taps their contactless bank/credit card directly on the validator and pays.
Last updated: 08.08.2026
Credit Card transit payment (open-loop) lets a passenger pay the transit fare by tapping their own contactless bank or credit card on the validator, without getting a separate city card. The balance is held at the bank, not on a card; the fare is collected from the bank on every passage. Sole Akbil validators support Credit Card acceptance in hardware; a payment institution (acquirer) integration for live use is done on a per-project basis.
What Is Open-Loop (Credit Card)?
In open-loop, the passenger pays with the bank/credit card they use in daily life. No transit balance is held on the card; the transaction happens directly with the bank. It removes the need to get a card for tourists and infrequent users.
Difference From Closed-Loop (City Card)
- Open-loop (Credit Card): balance at the bank, card-type discounts cannot be applied at the terminal
- Closed-loop (city card): balance on the card/account, student/full-fare/discounted fares can be applied, works offline
- Both can be offered together on the same validator
How Does It Work?
- The passenger taps their contactless bank card on the validator.
- The validator gets payment approval via the acquirer.
- The fare is collected from the bank, the transaction is recorded in the panel.
EMV Credit Card acceptance is supported in the validator's hardware; a separate payment institution (acquirer) integration is required per project for live payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should I choose - Credit Card or a city card?
The two complement each other: Credit Card is practical for tourists/infrequent users; a city card is needed for discounted/student fares and offline operation. Sole Akbil supports both together.
Is a student discount applied on Credit Card payment?
Because the bank card always processes the same transaction, type-based discounts cannot be applied at the terminal in open-loop; discounted fares are given via the closed-loop city card.
Is an additional integration needed for Credit Card?
A payment institution (acquirer) integration is required for live Credit Card payment; this is planned on a per-project basis.
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