What Is AFC? Automated Fare Collection
The industry's formal term for AFC, how it works, and what it means for small-scale municipal/cooperative fleets.
Last updated: 08.08.2026
AFC (Automated Fare Collection) is a system that lets public transport fares be collected digitally from passengers via a smart card, phone NFC, QR ticket or bank card instead of cash. The in-vehicle validator device reads the passage, calculates the fare and relays the transaction to a central server; revenue is reported transparently. In everyday speech this system is often called the "akbil system."
Components of an AFC System
- Validator (card reader device): an in-vehicle terminal that reads the card/phone/QR — see Sole Akbil T20 / Sole Akbil T10
- Smart card / contactless smart card: a balance-based Mifare card priced by card type (full fare/student/discounted) — see NFC and Mifare card systems
- Central server and management panel: fare calculation, reporting, card/fare configuration — see Sole Akbil Management Panel
- Card top-up/sales points: physical or digital points where passengers can buy a card and load balance
How Does AFC Work?
- The passenger taps their card, phone or QR ticket on the validator.
- The validator reads the card type and identity and calculates the fare from the central server (or an offline rule set).
- The balance is deducted and the transaction is written to an immutable record (ledger).
- The municipality/cooperative reports revenue and passage data from the central panel.
Difference Between Closed-Loop (City Card) and Open-Loop (Credit Card)
| Closed-loop (city card) | Balance is held on the card/account, fares are applied by card type (student/discounted), can work offline — see City Card System |
|---|---|
| Open-loop (Credit Card) | The passenger pays with their own bank/credit card, balance is held at the bank, type-based discounts cannot be applied — see Credit Card Transit Payment |
Cash or AFC? A Leakage Calculation for Cooperatives
With cash collection, the driver's contact with money, counting errors and unrecorded passages reduce revenue; revenue is only visible manually at day's end. With AFC, collection happens up front at top-up points, every passage is recorded, and revenue can be reported instantly by plate/driver — this stands out as the most concrete way to prevent revenue leakage, especially for cooperatives.
AFC for Municipalities and Cooperatives
AFC is not limited to metropolitan scale. Sole Akbil works specifically with district municipalities, minibus and dolmus cooperatives and private bus operators, offering fast setup and direct technical support — see Public Transport System for Municipalities, Private Bus Card System, Minibus and Shuttle Card Payment System. For field examples, see our projects.
Factors That Affect Cost
The exact price is determined after a technical survey; but the main factors that determine the cost of an AFC installation are:
- Number of vehicles/validators
- Variety of card types (full fare/student/discounted/free, etc.)
- Number of card top-up/sales points
- A separate payment institution (acquirer) connection if EMV Credit Card integration is desired
- Number of printed smart cards to be produced
For example, a 10-vehicle cooperative setup covers 10 validator installations, basic card-type definitions (full fare/student) and 1-2 top-up points — if EMV Credit Card integration is not requested, no additional acquirer connection is needed. An exact scope and price require a technical survey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does AFC stand for?
AFC stands for "Automated Fare Collection." It describes a system in which public transport fares are collected digitally using a smart card, phone NFC, QR ticket or bank card instead of cash. This term is used in municipal tenders and industry documents (in Turkey it is referred to as EUTS).
Is AFC the same as an akbil/city card system?
Yes, what is colloquially called an "akbil system" is technically an AFC system. "Akbil" is a term that originated in Istanbul but has become generic across Turkey; AFC is the industry's formal/technical name.
Can a small municipality or cooperative set up AFC?
Yes. AFC is not limited to metropolitan scale; it scales from a minibus cooperative with a few vehicles up to a district municipality fleet of dozens. Sole Akbil focuses specifically on this segment (district municipalities, minibus/private bus cooperatives).
How long does an AFC installation take?
The timeline depends on the number of vehicles, the number of top-up points and infrastructure readiness; the exact duration is determined after a technical survey. For small fleets (a few vehicles), installation can be completed within days.
What factors determine the cost of AFC?
The number of vehicles/validators, the variety of card types, the number of card top-up/sales points, an acquirer connection if EMV Credit Card integration is desired, and the reusability of existing hardware (if any) are the main cost factors. An exact quote requires a technical survey.
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