Sole Akbil T20 - Bus Card Reader Device
Updated: 2026-07-20 · Technical content: SoleAkbil Engineering Team
Last updated: 08.08.2026
Sole Akbil T20 is an in-vehicle, touchscreen bus validator. It collects fares from passengers via Mf City Card, NFC Phone, QR Ticket or Credit Card; it works together with the Sole Akbil Cloud SaaS Software. The fare is always set from the central server, the transaction is written to an immutable ledger, and Card Reading / Balance Top-Up continue uninterrupted even during an internet outage.
| Product | Sole Akbil T20 (SoleAkbil validator series) |
|---|---|
| Use Case | Municipal bus, private bus, minibus, shuttle vehicle |
| Supported Payment Methods | Mf Card, NFC Phone, QR Ticket, Credit Card |
| Connectivity | SIM card (4G), WiFi, Ethernet |
| Mounting | Fixed in-vehicle mounting, next to the driver/passenger cabin |
| Software | Works fully integrated with the Sole Akbil Central Cloud Management Software |
Who Is It Suited For?
- Municipalities operating a public transport fleet
- Private bus and minibus cooperatives
- University, campus and corporate shuttle operators
- System integrators setting up public transport fare collection systems
How Does Sole Akbil T20 Work?
- The passenger taps their card, phone or QR ticket on the terminal.
- The terminal reads the identity and relays it to the SoleAkbil server.
- The server calculates the fare based on card type and sends approval to the terminal.
- The terminal displays the remaining balance/deducted amount on screen, and the transaction is recorded to the ledger.
The Software That Turns the Device Into a System
Sole Akbil T20 is not an empty card reader shell. Thanks to the Sole Akbil validator software running on it, it collects fares even without internet, writes every transaction to an immutable ledger, and recognizes only cards belonging to your system through customer-specific card-key isolation. All devices are managed centrally through the Sole Akbil Management Panel; revenue reports, fares and dealer management are all run from a single screen.
Technical Specifications
| Operating System | Custom Android 12-based POS operating system |
|---|---|
| Card Technology | Mifare Classic (DESFire support available in the backend) |
| Storage | 16 GB internal storage, 2 GB RAM |
| Screen | Touchscreen color display, multi-status LED indicator |
| Card Security | Operator-specific (merchant) Mifare sector key - cards from outside the system will not work |
| Management | Remote device pairing (pairing code), settings and price synchronization |
| Offline Operation | Card reading/balance top-up work offline; fare deduction (passage) requires server approval |
Credit Card payment acceptance is supported in hardware; a payment institution (acquirer) integration is used on a per-project basis in the system. The technical values stated are based on Sole Akbil's own field/integration documentation.
Open-Loop (Credit Card) vs. Closed-Loop City Card Comparison
| Where is the balance held? | Closed-loop: on the card/account (on the SoleAkbil server) - Open-loop (Credit Card): at the bank, no balance on the card |
|---|---|
| Setup dependency | Closed-loop: SoleAkbil infrastructure alone is sufficient - Open-loop: a separate payment institution (acquirer) integration is required |
| Discount/card-type pricing | Closed-loop: automatic pricing possible across 12 card types such as student/full fare/senior - Open-loop: the bank always processes the same transaction, type-based discounts cannot be applied at the terminal |
| Offline operation | Closed-loop: card reading/balance top-up continue offline - Open-loop: Credit Card transactions always require online approval |
Frequently Asked Questions
What payment methods does the Sole Akbil T20 accept?
Mifare city card, phone NFC, single-use QR ticket and EMV Credit Card - all four are supported on the same terminal. In the city-card flow, the fare is calculated from the central server based on card type.
What is the difference between Sole Akbil T20 and Sole Akbil T10?
Both use the same SoleAkbil software architecture (Mifare Classic, Credit Card/NFC/QR support, central management integration); model choice depends on screen size, mounting type and hardware revision. Both models can also run together in your fleet.
Does the validator have a SAM module?
Instead of SAM (Secure Access Module)-based card security, this system uses an operator-specific Mifare sector key and server-side verification architecture; alternative setups using a SAM module are evaluated on a project basis.
How long does validator mounting and installation take?
Installation time depends on the number of vehicles and infrastructure readiness; the exact duration is determined after a technical survey.
Request Technical Information for Sole Akbil T20
Talk to our technical team about the right validator setup for your fleet.