THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY...a nod to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) to begin commercial services between the 6.29 km Yelachenahalli–Anjanapura stretch. This section is

AGSTTL NEWSLETTER | VOLUME III 2020 | THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY IS SMART1

THE FUTUREOF MOBILITYIS SMART

2020 - VOLUME II I

O NE C A RD FO R CO MMUTE

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SPECIAL FOCUS:• Exclusive Interview - Kochi Metro Rail Limited

• Thought-leadership article - Cubic Transportation Systems


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AGSTTL IN MEDIA

COMPANY UPDATES

COVER STORYThe Future of Mobility is Smart

EXPERT OPINIONAndy Taylor, Senior Strategy Director, Cubic Transportation Systems

EVENTS & AWARDS

IN CONVERSATION WITH KOCHI METROAlkesh Kumar Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary (Special Projects), MD - KMRL

PAYMENTS & MOBILITY - A MARRIAGE MADE IN HEAVENGeorge Trelawney, President - Transit and Toll, AGS Transact Technologies Ltd.

WHAT’S NEXT?Mobility as a service enabling futuristic unified transportation

SPECIAL ZONEAmritsar Bus Rapid Transit System


The invention of wheel is considered to be one of

the most important inventions in the history of mankind. The

wheel gave human beings the power of transportation - the ability to move

from one place to another while saving time and energy. Since then, transportation or the mere act of mobility has become so deeply integrated into

our lives that we barely even notice the value that it adds to us and

the ecosystem. However, with changing needs and the

increasing interfaces

with technology and digital interventions, we have come to demand more sophisticated versions of mobility. These demands are met with a unique & innovative solution – Mobility as a Service or MaaS.

MaaS is simply a service that leverages joint digital channels to enable users to plan, book, and pay for multiple types of mobility services. It integrates all the stages of a commuter’s journey from journey planning, booking, and journey payment, to route selection. It is a convenient, cost-effective, and end-to-end solution that can make mobility seamless.

EVOLUTION OF TRANSIT INDUSTRY

Ravi B. GoyalChairman & Managing Director,

AGS Transact Technologies Limited

FOREWORD

For example, using a single app, you can check the bus schedule, train schedule, and the availability of a taxi at your destination station. You can buy a ticket for the bus or train from the comfort of your home. You can also book your taxi while you are on the way. Additionally, since this is a journey you take on a daily basis, you might also be able to benefit from bulk discounts on ticketing. In case there are delays, your MaaS app can inform you in advance and also help you make alternate bookings. Clearly, MaaS can generate exceptional value and elevate the entire ecosystem to make it

more efficient and seamless.

The year gone by has given us an opportunity to ruminate over the more important aspects of our lives. It has underscored the importance of connectivity & the role that technological and digital interventions play in bridging prevailing gaps. As we stand at the cusp of the ‘next’ normal, it becomes imperative for us to embrace smart solutions like MaaS & continuously innovate to carry on the legacy of the greatest invention, i.e., the wheel.


Congratulations AGS Transit & Toll Team On completing 5 remarkable years of managing Electronic Toll Collection Project for ICICI Bank

5Years

200+Toll Plazas

200+Team Members

6,00,000+FASTags Sold


AGSTTL IN MEDIA1

How technology can boost consumer confidence for safe fueling at Gas Station

What if a customer could enter the fuel pump and automatically have the desired fuelling quantity dispensed into their vehicle? In a case like this, the customer enters the fuel station, station attendant automatically recognises the vehicle and begins fuelling as per customer requirement, and all of this is accomplished with zero interaction between the fuel station attendant and customer negating the risk of potential infection.

Satish Zope, President, Petroleum & Digital Payment Business, AGSTTL ET Eneryworld | 22nd October, 2020

AGS Transact to deploy 1,000 cash recyclers by March

AGS Transact Technologies Ltd. (AGSTTL) plans to deploy 1,000 cash recyclers across the country by March 2021 in locations where there is equal demand for both cash deposits and cash withdrawals. Simultaneously, the company is also seeking to ramp up its Point of Sale (POS) terminal network by 50,000 to cash in on the increased penetration of debit and credit cards & growing e-commerce transactions, according to Ravi B. Goyal, Chairman & Managing Director.

Ravi B. Goyal, Chairman & MD, AGSTTL | The Hindu Business Line 17th August, 2020

Banks, payment operators want to render “contactless” digital services

“It’s a contactless and card-less process, customer just has to scan the QR code to withdraw money, this service is becoming popular and few banks have already launched it, we expect several banks to take this service,” said, Ravi Goyal, Chairman, AGS Transact – among the first manufacturers to build prototypes of such teller machines.

Ravi B. Goyal, Chairman & MD, AGSTTL | The Economic Times20th August, 2020

AGS Transact Technologies partners with Global-India Insurance Brokers to provide instant motor insurance

Our partnership with GIIB aims to bridge the existing gap in the motor insurance sector by leveraging our vast network of Ongo merchants and digitising manual process which involves a lot of paperwork & is time-consuming.

Mahesh Patel, Chief Technology Officer, AGSTTL | ET Auto 15th September, 2020


AGS Transact Technologies: Pioneering The Change In Fintech Space

“I firmly believe that technology will revolutionize the business landscape in India and our services and solutions are designed and customized to reflect the same,” asserts Ravi. AGS Transact Technologies primarily provides solutions across three business verticals-Payment Solutions, Banking Automation Solutions, and Other Automation Solutions for retail, petroleum, transit, and colour sectors. It has over 3, 60,000 customer touchpoints and a dedicated workforce of more than 13,000 personnel serving multiple sectors.

Business APAC Magazine October Edition

The Power of Infectious Ideas

Industry-wide or societal level change, transformation and unfettered growth will only happen when multiple minds are seized with an infectious idea. It is often seen that crisis becomes a stepping stone for innovations and gives wings to many dreams. As clichéd as it may sound, the COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged many entrepreneurs, especially first generation, to challenge ‘business as usual’ practices and introduce new ways of conducting business.

Ravi. B. Goyal, Chairman & MD, AGSTTL | Entrepreneur India 21st October, 2020

Contactless – The new wave of payments in India

Near Field Communication (NFC), the premise for contactless payments, will see a surge as tap-and-pay gains popularity. Recently, Mastercard and the Payment Council of India urged RBI to relax the norms on NFC to increase the usage of the same. With this move, contactless payments using NFC i.e. contactless cards will gain momentum as it would reduce physical contact completely.

Ravi B. Goyal, Chairman & MD, AGSTTL | ET Edge Insights 13th August, 2020

AGS Transact, Utimaco partner to provide cyber-defence technology for digital payments

Evolving security threats require the use of sophisticated advanced security solutions to safeguard all transaction activities and data. AGS Transact Technologies and Utimaco will collectively provide best-in-class defense against modern and organized cyber-attacks by equipping organisations with a comprehensive portfolio of cyber defense solutions.

Ravi. B. Goyal, Chairman & MD, AGSTTL | The Economic Times 11th November, 2020


COMPANYUPDATES2

AGS Transact Technologies, for RBL Bank, will acquire and issue National Common Mobility Card for Bengaluru Metro

RBL Bank has been awarded to issue and acquire National Common Mobility Card for Bengaluru Metro. With AGS Transact Technologies as the Technology partner, the bank will begin issuing NCMC cards to riders of both–Bengaluru Metro Phase I & Phase II. The commuters will be able to use this card across all modes of travel within Bengaluru, once the required infrastructure is in place.

Kochi Metro Phase I completed; AGSTTL AFC solutions to benefit 1 lac+ riders

Kochi Metro’s Thykoodam-Pettah stretch was commissioned in September 2020. This milestone marks the completion of Phase I of KMRL, for which AGSTTL manages end-to-end Automatic Fare Collection systems.

AGS Transact Technologies to upgrade Bengaluru Metro Phase I stations for accepting National Common Mobility Card & QR Tickets

While Bengaluru Metro Phase II stations are already equipped to accept National Common Mobility Cards and QR code based tickets, Phase I stations have to be retrofitted. AGS Transact Technologies will upgrade the existing Automatic Fare Collection system at 32 stations of Phase I.

AGS Transact Technologies to manage end-to-end Automatic Fare Collection for 40 water jetties of Kochi Metro’s ambitious Water Metro project

The ambitious water metro project of KMRL will connect 10 islands of Kochi; for which AGS Transact Technologies will manage end-to-end Automatic Fare Collection at 40 water jetties. This ticketing system will use a combination of Open Loop Smart Cards, Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID) and Quick Response Codes (QR Codes) to collect fares.

Bengaluru Metro gets a nod from CMRS to commence commercial operations of Phase II; for which AGS Transact Technologies manages the AFC

The Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) has given a nod to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) to begin commercial services between the 6.29 km Yelachenahalli–Anjanapura stretch. This section is an elevated extension of the existing Green Line of Namma Metro along the Kanakapura Road. AGS Transact Technologies is managing Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) for this stretch.


AGSTTL completes 5 years of managing ICICI Bank’s flagship FASTag program

AGSTTL and ICICI Bank’s Electronic Toll Collection association by the means of FASTag management completed 5 glorious years in August 2020. AGSTTL is proud to manage the end-to-end processes for ICICI Bank across 200+ toll plazas across India.

Ongo introduces instant motor insurance on its POS terminals at Fuel retail outlets

Motor Insurance feature has now been enabled on Ongo POS terminals. It will enable vehicle owners to opt for 2-wheelers and 4-wheelers motor insurance at accessible touchpoints like fuel stations and kirana stores through a completely digitised and paperless process. Eligible Ongo merchants can connect with Ongo SPOC to opt for this value-added service. Ongo aims to provide more such features for its growing merchant base and offer convenience to end-consumers on-the-go.

Ongo completes 5 years of empowering merchants with digital solutions

AGS Transact Technologies’ Digital Payment Brand ‘Ongo’ completed 5 stupendous years of empowering merchants across 2200 cities and towns in India. A leading digital payments platform, Ongo provides safe, secure & smart digital solutions across Banking, Petroleum and Retail sectors as well as MSMEs. With 6 lac+ payment touchpoints, more than 50 bank partners & a network of 500+ channel partners, Ongo continues to provide payment acceptance solutions to a wide range of merchants.

Securevalue India receives the repeat order for 60 Dedicated Cash Vans from Canara Bank for e-Syndicate Currency Chests

Securevalue India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGS Transact Technologies, has bagged the repeat order of 60 dedicated cash vans for Syndicate Bank’s currency chest. Through this order, SVIL will manage the safe and secure transit of currency from currency chests to Syndicate Bank branches pan India.


THE FUTURE OFMOBILITY IS SMART

Transportation is not something that we inherently think about. If you need to get from point A to point B, you simply evaluate the multiple options that are available and enjoy the ride. However, transportation today is not just about serving your need for mobility. It is doing much more than that and in a far more integrated and seamless manner. Since the beginning of this century, technology has disrupted several industries ranging from retail and travel to banking and

financial services. Everything has now become on-demand. A shining example of this trend is Netflix and how it has changed the way people consume and pay for media entertainment. You choose what you want to watch, when you want to watch it and pay for it accordingly. Can you imagine if such a model was applied to urban transportation where you can easily choose the most well-suited mode of transportation, decide when you want to travel, and leverage the most convenient mode of payment?

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Level 0 — No Integration:At its very basic level, transportation across the world was offered in silos. Each mode of transport was offered as a separate service and there existed no means to integrate a journey which required multiple modes of transport.

Level 1 — Information Integration:This was the very first level of integration which started with the integration of information. It gave rise to intermediaries like travel planners who shared travel information with commuters. The areas where they added value included providing support for finding the best trip and recommending the most viable option in terms of time of the day, the route to be taken, and the mode of transport to be used. However, it is important to note that there still existed some information asymmetry.

Level 2 — Booking & Payment Integration:At this level, along with information, the ecosystem also integrated booking and payments. It enabled commuters to not only get information about the most viable routes but also to make the necessary bookings. This is the stage when mobility started becoming truly comprehensive. At level 2, access to multiple mobility related services becomes easier. Commuters now had a one-stop solution where they could find a viable transport mode, make the relevant bookings, and pay for the trip all on a single application (app). At the same time, the transport provider became more visible and was exposed to more customers.

Level 3 — Integration of Transport Services in Passes & Bundles:

We have now migrated to level 3 where commuters have access to bundled services and offers and are not limited to single journeys. This level is truly comprehensive as it caters to a customer’s complete daily mobility needs by offering information on different means of transport, enabling bookings and payments, and ensuring that these can be done through passes and/or bundled contracts.

Level 4 — Societal Goals Integration:At its highest level, mobility can help achieve societal goals and go beyond simply liaising between the demand for and supply of mobility. With comprehensive mobility services reducing the need for car ownership, cities will inevitably become congestion free and accessible, thereby becoming more inhabitable.

3.1 THE EVOLUTION OFTRANSPORTATIONThe transportation sector has come a long way from steam engines to internal combustion engines and now to the possibility of a HYPERLOOP. Underlying this journey is the value that transportation and mobility generates for individuals, businesses, and the government. As the needs of the ecosystem to seamlessly integrate and connect with each other grew, so did the mobility solutions. Starting from a level zero of no integration to creating a deeply integrated mobility ecosystem that can help accomplish societal goals, this evolution has been primarily fueled by technological interventions.

Information Integration

Booking & Payment Integration Societal Goals Integration

Integration of Transport Servicesin Passes & Bundles

No Integration


3.2 THE ADVENT OF MOBILITY AS A SERVICE (MaaS)

Mobility is no longer just a means to get from point A to point B and thus, mobility solutions need to be comprehensive and seamless. This need for a more integrated and seamless mobility offering birthed Mobility as a Service (MaaS). At its most basic, MaaS is simply a system that enables efficient, convenient, and cost effective transportation, both public and private, through end-to-end digital solutions. It proactively integrates all the stages of a commuter’s journey. Instead of having to locate the best mode of transportation, and separately make the bookings and payments for each chosen mode, MaaS platforms enable commuters to plan, book, and pay for multiple door-to-door trips using a single app. Beyond facilitating operational flexibility, they also provide information on real-time conditions prevalent in the transportation network and provide ‘best route’ recommendations taking into account the users unique preferences, for example, timeliness over cost.


Mobility-as-a-Service offers several tangible as well as intangible benefits. By optimising transportation, it elevates the standard of living in a city and meaningfuly contributes to the growth of the ecosystem. Listed below are some of the significant benefits of MaaS.

• Decreased traffic congestion: MaaS apps make it easier and more convenient to use public transport.

Further, by creating an interconnected

transportation network MaaS apps also facilitate the use of alternatives such as carpooling, car sharing, bicycle, and scooter rental. These can successfully reduce the number of private vehicles on the road, thereby resulting in reduced traffic and lower pollution.

• Improved economy: A reduction in congestion can inadvertently

lead to substantial savings in fuel

costs and improved productivity. It is estimated that traffic congestion in just four cities, i.e., Mumbai, Banglore, Delhi, and Kolkata alone costs India USD 22 billion a year. By reducing the time spent on the road, individuals can use their time more productively. Further, reduced congestion will also positively impact an individual’s health as various studies have shown that extended time spent in traffic snarls can lead to hypertension.

• Decreased pollution: Vehicular transport, whether it is private cars or commercial

vehicles, is one of the biggest

contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in cities. While reduced

3.3ENGENDERING VALUE FOR THE ECOSYSTEM

congestion will certainly contribute to pollution control we must also consider another aspect of smart mobility, i.e., clean technology. One of the principles of smart mobility is clean technology which can significantly reduce emissions.

• Improves customer experience by leveraging data: Data generated

through the usage of transportation

networks can provide key insights on commuter requirements and enable cities to create customised solutions for a diverse set of people, improve transportation efficiency, and provide new mobility services.

• More efficient traffic management: MaaS provides live data on

transportation availability and

congestion, thereby allowing traffic to be re-routed on a

real-time basis. It creates a mobility ecosystem that seamlessly integrates GPS, user requirements, and the transportation network to improve the quality of route-finding services and enhance traffic management.

We live in an ‘Uberized’ world where consumption is live and on-demand. To cater to the changing needs of the consumer, we need to build ecosystems that are agile, well-integrated, and intuitive. MaaS platforms are envisaged to cater to the changing needs of commuters and are structured along the concept of on-demand mobility. It is designed to create a system of interconnected transport methods that are digitally accessible to the consumer, thereby bringing together the three imperatives of efficient mobility: commuters, disparate transport operators, and the city. To put it in a nutshell, MaaS is perpetuating a shift towards personal mobility and is likely to bring a huge transformation in the transportation, auto, insurance, and healthcare industries.


EXPERTOPINION4

“At Cubic Transportation Systems, we believe that to take the right path, you sometimes have to create it. That’s why, even though we helped revolutionize the transportation industry, we’re dedicated to reinventing it.”

Cubic is the leading integrator of payment and information solutions and related services for intelligent travel applications in the transportation industry. Cubic delivers integrated systems for transportation and traffic management, providing tools for travelers to choose the smartest and easiest way to travel and pay for their journeys, while enabling transportation authorities and agencies to manage demand across the entire transportation network – all in real-time.

With Indian Government schemes and programs in the field of Urban Development, CUBIC is looking actively to support those initiatives with its unique experience gained through implementing some of the biggest, complex, and iconic transport systems around the world, such as the open and closed loop payment systems in London, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, Sydney and many more.

Andy TaylorSenior Strategy Director

Cubic Transportation Systems

Today, India is home to the second largest population in the world. It is also home to four of the world’s ten most congested cities. This year, drivers in Bengaluru spent on average 71% extra time on the road due to congestion. With its population set to increase by another 22% by 2030 and the demand for public transport already outstripping supply, the question of how to reduce congestion and provide efficient transport is a prime concern.

Despite this, India is undergoing a massive transformation in its mobility landscape that could help it leapfrog to the forefront of the global mobility industry. With its vibrant tech and start-up economy, rapid adoption of cashless payments and growing smart phone penetration combined with a sizable population of your technology adopters with a rising spending capacity, India is well placed to revitalise its current transport systems and use intelligent transport technologies to create smarter more sustainable mobility solutions. Already, heavy investment in the construction of new metro rail lines and bus rapid transit, along with the growth of shared, pooled and hired mobility options, emergence of new payment

methods, and the free flow of real time information tools are forming the foundation for a “Mobility-as-a-Service” transport landscape where the car may no longer be king.

In recent years, many in the transport industry have promoted the concept of Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) as a possible answer to how cities, like India, may overcome its transport challenges.

At Cubic, we define MaaS as, “a combination of public and private transport services within a given regional environment that provides holistic, optimal and people-centered travel options, to enable end-to-end journeys paid for by the user as a single charge, and which aims to achieve key public equity objectives.”


However, while the interest in MaaS has been tremendous, with potential benefits extending from reducing congestion to improving environmental impacts, aside from a few limited trials in mid-sized cities globally, the MaaS explosion has failed to materialise.

In August, David Zipper penned an article called “The problem with Mobility-as a Service”, a paper that sourced many global articles, but fundamentally pointed out that ‘start-ups, transit agencies and policy makers are eager for “MaaS” apps that let travellers choose multiple modes – and give up private cars. But revenue has been elusive’. But why is this the case?

If you look at how MaaS has evolved, the leading proponents have typically been private MaaS operators (e.g Whim, Mobility-X, Ubi-go) and Mobility Service Providers (Ola, Rapido, ZoomCar).

These are commercial entities, often venture capital funded, who in return for higher risk are prepared to kick start revenue streams for a position in an emerging market. In many industries this is common practice, for example in the app development space, or entertainment delivery platforms. The issue we currently face with MaaS is that for it to work, it has to also utilize public transport, and for that to occur the public agencies in a region must agree to opening up their network and providing access.

Public agencies are risk averse and often cash poor. They also have a duty to deliver services to 100% of their population. So, it’s understandable that cities are reticent to invest money in opening public transport ticketing systems to private entities that may or may not be in business within months

given the volatile nature of the mobility market, and that may only deliver potential benefits to a small subset of the population. The risk reward equation simply doesn’t add up. That is until recently.

With the impact of COVID-19, many public agencies globally, have had to take a sharp look at how effectively they delivery mobility. More than ever before, we are seeing cities adopt policies to mitigate and reduce private car usage and we’re seeing public transport agencies adopting private mobility service providers to augment and offer services to their citizens. In short, cities are now seeing the potential benefit of public and private mobility working together to deliver holistic mobility management for its citizens.

This represents a substantial pivot from initial iterations of MaaS that tended to be commercial pushes from private mobility service providers. Today, cities are taking ownership and responsibility for MaaS and are seeking ways to bring private mobility into their managed

public mobility ecosystem, but still have the ability to control and regulate the operations. They are embracing multimodal options that can help deliver cost effective solutions for their citizens while allowing flexibility to deliver on transport policy goals.

Embracing this shift could be a game changer for India. In recent years, new technologies, business models and solutions have led to an exponential growth in the shared mobility market. New providers are rapidly building market share as they successfully fill service gaps in the transit network and offer an attractive option to overburdened or infrequent public transport services and the high cost of car ownership.

Local governments need to recognise their role, not just as an operator of transport, but as a driver of this change. Through setting the direction and driving the pace of change, cities can stop competing with new mobility operators and begin to collaborate them to deliver better service to all.


1. Tell us about the Kochi Metro project, for which you have collaborated with AGS?

As part of Kochi metro’s larger vision of integrating the transportation system in India with the best-in-class mobility solutions, we started QR based ticketing. AGS Transact Technologies is our system integrator, managing end-to-end Automatic Fare Collection (AFC). We have recently commissioned Thykoodam-Pettah stretch in September 2020, thus completing the Phase 1 of this project.

2. Is there any specific need or an industry gap which Kochi Metro aims to address?

Kochi is a strategically located city with a great infrastructure. However, it faces common challenges that any urban city in world would face - traffic congestion and high population density. A well planned and scalable mass

Alkesh Kumar SharmaAdditional Chief Secretary (Special Projects),

MD- KMRL

IN CONVERSATION WITH KOCHI METRO5

transit system like metro system, is an answer to this challenge. Therefore, we studied various metro stations, domestically and internationally, that have set benchmarks in public transport. Further, with globalisation and surge in digitalisation, setting up a world class ticketing system which integrates all forms of transport was a natural step towards building a smart city.

3. How significantly have your mobility solutions transformed the mobility sector?

We take immense pride in sharing that Kochi Metro was the first metro in the country to introduce Automatic Fare Collection system and QR-code based ticketing. With the introduction of Kochi 1 card in 2017, we have set a new benchmark for other mobility projects coming up in the country. The KMRL Axis Bank ‘Kochi1’ Card can be used inside Kochi Metro and other modes of travel


5. How do you think smart mobility will redefine public transport in India, especially in post Covid-19 era?

With contactless being the norm, ticketing solutions like QR code, NFC-enabled cards, open-loop cards like Kochi1, etc will continue to gain momentum. These solutions offer faster, convenient, and seamless commute. Substantiating this, we have issued close to 85,000 Kochi1 cards. During Covid-19 pandemic, paper-based tickets are being sold through vending machines which restricts direct contact.

With this being said, there will be an increased demand for the large scale implementation of National Common Mobility Card as this will integrate various modes of transport and also enable a user to use the same card for parking, cash withdrawals and other purchases at the Metro station.

within Kochi, and across retail and online stores anywhere in India. It marks a complete shift from regular ticketing to banking card format.

Additionally, to make the ride smooth and comfortable, we have AC coaches with utmost hygiene protocols. Kochi Metro can cover approx. 23 kms in an impressive 43 minutes. It is also first-of-its kind thematic metro station in India. As stations are strategically placed close to other modes of transport like ports and bus stands, we are close to integrating all modes of transport.

Kochi Metro had a ridership of approx. 65000 passengers in pre-covid times. While the ridership had dipped during the lockdown, it is picking up again. To ensure public safety, we have installed thermal cameras and sanitisers; there is a regular thermal temperature check and alternate seat arrangements inside the Coaches. There are special markings inside metro station for a sequence to stand.

4. What do you think is the major reason for this paradigm shift?

The existing transportation facilities were overburdened with the growing population and increasing commercialisation of areas. Additionally, there is a significant floating tourist population that visits Kochi throughout the year. The existing modes, especially roads were severely congested. Consumers taking the boats also would eventually seek roadways to reach their destination.

Further, there has been a significant growth in the adoption of digital modes of payments. The commuters now-a-days seek more convenience and instant solutions. In general, a token takes long queues, tedious cash exchange; but a card takes 250 milliseconds to scan and QR takes just 100 milliseconds. Hence, we decided to keep innovating and bringing in newer ways of payments.

All in all, the paradigm shift is the result of changing consumer demands and Government’s boost to smart cities.


MOBILITY AS A SERVICE ENABLING FUTURISTIC UNIFIED TRANSPORTATION

Transportation forms the backbone of an efficient urban society and a new trend in the sector is Mobility as a Service, abbreviated popularly as MaaS. The term espouses the concept of positioning transportation solutions as an on-demand service wherein, instead of people owning and using personal vehicles, MaaS providers facilitate effective transport options for individuals, as and when required. Such platforms offer users convenient and efficient access to several transport options for all mobility requirements. Some of the popular platforms offering MaaS in India include rideshare apps like Uber and Ola, as well as peer-to-peer rental services like BlaBlaCar and FlexiCar.

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Exploring the Nuances of MaaSAs with every other smart city infrastructure, MaaS requires uninterrupted connectivity to perform efficiently. Facilitating a seamless MaaS experience requires three imperative elements to be tethered together – mobile app, big data, and IoT for connected and autonomous vehicles. While the mobile app is the front-end of the user experience, where individuals

book and pay for trips, big data enables companies to track customer behaviour and create tailormade solutions.Automation is an added requirement as it facilitates connected vehicles which analyse surroundings and offer better transit operations, ensuring an end-to-end satisfactory experience.

Consumer Friendly TransportationSeveral of us already prefer subscribing to ridesharing apps as it limits the hassle involved in daily commute. One can forego all the stress involved in driving, managing traffic, and ensuring proper

documentation and sit back and enjoy the proverbial ride. Applications offering MaaS ensure that individuals are provided with the most convenient routes and transport options basis their specific requirements. Quick and secure payment methods are another speciality offered by MaaS as service providers strive to ensure a convenient experience for users.


Hassle-Free Payments with MaaSSome of the popular payment methods in use include QR Code and UPI-based transactions, which enable users to transfer the money directly to the service provider’s account. The Government of India has also stepped in with its National Common Mobility Card which permits individuals to pay for travel, toll duties, retail shopping, and withdraw money, making the process all the more efficient. Further, global service

providers offer users convenient monthly subscriptions which are tailored to the user’s transport needs. International MaaS platforms also feature a ‘pay on demand’ option whereby individuals can pay for all the transport options they use, at the same time. For instance, if one accesses the services of a metro, bus, and cab in a particular journey, all the three payments can be completed through the same app, at the same time.

Outlook on the SectorAs we progress towards a smarter ecosystem, with smart homes, smart cities, and smart transportation, MaaS becomes a crucial element of this lifestyle. While the system is at a nascent stage, the immense benefits it provides, in terms of convenience, usability, and

efficiency, will ensure that MaaS becomes an all-encompassing transport option in the years to come. According to a recent global survey of consumer attitudes and preferences by Deloitte, encompassing 23,000 respondents from 19 countries across developed and developing markets, almost half of the respondents said that they do not consider personal cars as the preferred transport option.

With population growing and cities expanding to accommodate the influx from rural areas, transport networks need to be resilient enough to address

the rising demand. Even as it becomes difficult to boost transport infrastructure, MaaS can ensure efficient commute and keep the city

on its feet while limiting congestion & enabling faster, greener, and cheaper options. As smartphones and intensive connectivity become ubiquitous, and

deep learning, artificial intelligence, & autonomous drive and dynamic routing become the norm, the society seems poised to jump on the MaaS bandwagon.


EVENTS & AWARDS7

Women Connect

AGS Horizon held ‘Women Connect’ in partnership with Dun & Bradstreet India to recognise women leaders in business. This virtual event hosted a panel discussion on ‘Charting a Course for Women Empowerment in the Digital Age’ with 4 industry leaders who addressed and interacted with over 50 participants.

Campus Connect 2.0

Organised by AGS Horizon, Campus Connect 2.0, was an insightful case study competition designed to drive an exchange of ideas between AGS Group leadership and students from India’s Premier B-Schools. Concluding with 3 winners, this competition saw an overwhelming response with 3000+ participants from 85+ campuses.

Retail Connect 2.0

Retail Connect 2.0 was crafted to provide insights on ‘Building Capabilities for a New World’. With over 300 attendees, Retail Connect saw a unique blend of strategic interactions with 10+ industry leaders, masterclass, thought-leadership sessions and live interactive quizzes.

AWS Fintech Forum Online

Mahesh Patel, Group Chief Technology Officer, AGS Transact Technologies, was the distinguished guest for the AWS Fintech Online Forum Enterprise Connect Session, an event hosted by YourStory & Amazon Web Services (AWS). He interacted with participants & threw light on the role technology plays in building a strong & robust fintech infrastructure.

Ongo bagged 3 awards at the prestigious ACEF Asian Leadership Forum and Awards.

• Excellence in Digital Transformation• Excellence in Corporate Reputation• Excellence in Marketing Innovation payments industry.


For business enquiries, write to [email protected]

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According to a report by World Bank, 34% of India’s population resides in urban areas. Another report by United Nations speculates that by 2050, the urban population in India will have increased to 87.7 million & the rural population will account for 78.3 million people. This would increase the population density and also add immense pressure on the existing resources and infrastructure. Transportation won’t be spared either. The need for smart, sustainable solutions is the need of the hour and the Nandan Nilekani-led committee on digital payments has emphasised the same in its recommendations submitted to the Government of India.

The changing payment landscape in India has raised the bar for technology players as well as solution providers. Today, consumers have a multitude of options to purchase any good or service and mostly, this happens with just a few clicks. It comes as no surprise that consumers will seek the same, if not heightened, sense of convenience when it comes to mobility as well. This makes payments an integral part of the ever-evolving mobility scenario in India.

George Trelawney President – Transit and Toll,

AGS Transact Technologies Ltd.

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PAYMENTS & MOBILITY A MARRIAGE MADE IN HEAVEN


Need for faster, swifter mobilitySmart cities need smart travel options. With the fast-paced life that metropolitan cities offer, it becomes imperative to have a transit system that can support this pace and lifestyle. Public transportation is the bloodstream of any city. Therefore, for any city to be termed as a ‘smart city’, it has to have a strong and robust public transportation system that can sustain the footfall of millions. While mobility has gained momentum in the last few years, payments as a service will certainly drive this forward.

QR Code TicketingEven before QR code revolutionised the digital payments as we know it today, Kochi Metro introduced QR based (paper) ticketing in 2017. AGS Transact Technologies collaborated with KMRL to address the main concern with use of QR codes in transit i.e. longer scanning time, by launching a more efficient QR code system that takes only 100 milliseconds to scan the code as compared to the 250 milliseconds taken by a contactless card to scan. Cut to the Covid-19 pandemic, QR code is driving the wave of contactless payments in India across all sectors including mass mobility.

The biggest advantage that QR based tickets offers is swifter & hassle-free checkouts. Being contactless, this solution is seen as a game-changer in days to come. BEST in Mumbai & State Transportation Buses in Maharashtra are already beginning to test this ‘contactless’ ticketing solution.


Mobility CardsA Government of India initiative, National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) or One Nation One Card is designed to enhance the penetration of digital payment options throughout the country. Through this card, NPCI aims to digitise cities and make intercity as well as intra-city transport seamless and hassle-free. With path-breaking technologies such as Near Field Communication (NFC), these cards simply have to be tapped at flap gates, retail stores, & can also be used for cash withdrawals at ATMs.

Currently, each mode of transport in India has its own ticketing system

and NCMC intends to integrate this. For instance, if a consumer leaves for office, hails an auto rickshaw or ferry, further takes a metro, & finally boards a bus to reach his destination, all he has to do is tap the same card at all ticketing or entry/exit points. This relieves the consumer from the cumbersome task of carrying exact change and also brings down the commute time significantly. Being RuPay-operated, this card can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs as well.

Looking at the pandemic and its impact, these NCMC cards are likely to consume

the future of mobility. Kochi Metro had already deployed NCMC Cards with Axis Bank where AGS Transact Technologies is the system integrator. Recently, Delhi Metro for phase 4, along with State Bank of India, has launched a card that enables users to travel through metro and also use it for cash withdrawals at ATMs. Similarly, Bengaluru Metro and Chennai metro stations are also in process of introducing NCMC.

Bengaluru Metro has already awarded this work to RBL Bank Ltd. where AGS Transact Technologies will be the Technology Partner.


National Electronic Toll CollectionTo avoid congestion at toll plazas, National Highways Authority of India or NHAI has introduced FASTag, an RFID based sticker, to process seamless electronic toll collection. FASTag assures a swifter and more transparent toll process as the RFID tag on windshield is scanned as the vehicle passes through toll plaza.

FASTag saw a humble beginning in 2014, at the Golden Quadrilateral between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, pioneered by ICICI Bank. Today, FASTag is contributing to three-fourths of toll collection of `92

cr per day, a sharp jump from `70 cr a year ago. The usage has seen a sharp increase in the past few months as public transport had almost come to a standstill and people grew extremely apprehensive of using cash. As more vehicles plied highways, FASTag gained momentum. There are over 20 million FASTag users in the country and this surge is a result of the robust digital payment system, strong infrastructure and Government’s push towards digital payments. There are plans of using FASTags for other utilities such as fuelling and parking.

Road AheadMobility as a Service (MaaS) is set to be the next big thing in India. With

an integrated mobility system, India’s commute will be smarter, faster and convenient as everything will be at one’s fingertips. The slew of measures

taken by the Government of India has encouraged many payment players and infrastructure developers to build a strong and robust mobility infrastructure.

Electronic vehicles, self-driving cars, ride-sharing, contactless ticketing and electronic toll collection are set to frame the future of mobility. Recently, at the

3rd Annual Bloomberg New Economy Forum, Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched India as an investment destination for Mobility. He also stated that

India is building 100 smart cities and projects worth almost Rs 1.4 lakh crore have been completed or nearing completion. The Centre also aims to

have 1000 kms of metro rail system in the country by 2022.

Such measures & projections bring India closer to the dream of becoming a country with a smart, agile and futuristic mobility ecosystem.


Another milestone for AGS Transact Technologies’ Transit & Toll team is the ‘Amritsar-BRTS’. The company manages end-to-end activities with regards to the Automatic Fare Collection System (AFC). Amritsar BRTS commenced in 2019 and has daily ridership of 30,000 passengers during peak time, in pre-covid times.

What is BRT?Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a low-cost public transit solution designed to improve urban mobility by integrating a system of buses or specialised vehicles on dedicated lanes to efficient transport commuters to their destinations.

Amritsar BRTSIn 2019, the holy city of Amritsar joined the club of elite cities by introducing the ambitious Bus Rapid Transit System

(BRTS). Although there are existing cities with BRTS in India, what makes Amritsar standout is the thorough planning that has gone into its implementation. After several site visits at existing BRTS, both domestically & internationally, Amritsar BRTS flagged off a fleet of 72 buses in March 2019.

It is the first project to have retrofitting of elevated roads to suit BRT requirement in the entirety of Asia.

AMRITSAR BUS RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM 9


OperationalLooking at the overwhelming response, the authorities decided to come up with smart, swift and secure ticketing methods. AGS Transact Technologies, as the technology partner, began managing end-to-end Automated Fare Collection (AFC) system of 46 stations for Amritsar BRTS from 2019. As AFC is a critical component of the transit system, AGSTTL integrates the complex framework of hardware & software and enables a ticketing system that uses a ‘Self Branded Contactless Smart Card and Smart Tokens’ for fare collection. It is a closed-loop system with buses running at four-minute intervals and offers off-board ticketing which is operated by a centralised control system.

SocialDesigned to cater to both local crowd and tourists, this project covers an impressive 40% of the city’s core road network. At present, a total of 90 high-floor air-conditioned buses are being run on the dedicated 31-km corridor covering key locations of the city. An average auto-rickshaw runs at 2 times lesser the speed than BRTS. Thus, this new way of travel is not only swanky but is cost effective and saves commuters their precious time.

Every project that comes up generates employment opportunities for the local people. Amritsar BRTS employs hundreds of people.

EnvironmentalThe most common way of commuting in the holy city is using autos or share autos. These autos emit pollutants 3 times more than an average BRT, thus making this mode more energy efficient as well as sustainable. A BRTS are designed to carry more commuters than an auto. The time taken by a bus coupled with the minimal pollutants emitted, make BRTS the most viable and sustainable mode of transport. By offering greener choices for transportation, BRTS contributes in reducing air pollution.

Trip to the futureIndian cities are more complex than their Western counterparts. A single transport solution cannot possibly meet its needs. It is established that BRTS is a system that provides high-quality mass transit at a cost much lower than Metro. These solutions, if integrated efficiently with other modes of transport, can transform a city seamlessly into a smart one.

IMPACT


AGS Transact Technologies partners with Utimaco to provide

CYBER-DEFENCE TECHNOLOGYfor digital payments

Through this partnership, the companies will offer crypto-key security solutions toorganisations across banking, petroleum and retail sectors in India & Southeast Asia.

For business enquiries, write to Deepak Khemani | [email protected]

Documents

THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY...a nod to Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) to begin commercial services between the 6.29 km Yelachenahalli–Anjanapura stretch. This section is