This partnership aims to provide a more convenient, fast, and secure payment experience for users of public transportation, including the HCMC Urban Railway No. 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) and the city's bus system.

Under the agreement, HURC1 and Mastercard will work together to deploy integrated payment solutions across all public transportation vehicles in the city. These solutions include:

- Accepting payments on the HCMC Urban Railway No. 1 for priority groups with free or discounted fares, monthly passes, and other users utilizing EMV payment methods provided by banks through domestic switching organizations like Napas and international organizations such as Mastercard, Visa, JCB, and e-wallets like VNPay and MoMo.

- Investing in cashless payment solutions for the bus system, including sharing server infrastructure, IT infrastructure equipment, and automatic toll collection management software systems for the HCMC Urban Railway No. 1.

- Supporting payment acceptance readers.

Mastercard is committed to supporting HURC1 in developing and deploying strategies, operating procedures, digital transformation plans, and communication and branding initiatives. This support aims to attract passengers, create habitual usage of the metro system, and enhance HURC1's brand awareness.

Mastercard will also hand over various products to HURC1 to benefit passengers, including software licenses, equipment, data centers, promotion programs, and training courses, following the implementation of payment acceptance solutions across all HCMC Urban Railway No. 1 stations.

Within the framework of their cooperation, HURC1 will also study and implement the use of ID cards to replace travel cards for priority groups and monthly pass users. This solution, supported by the HCM City Police, aims to ensure consistency and ease of use for passengers when the HCMC Urban Railway No. 1 becomes operational. This initiative is part of the broader Project 06, which aims to bring economic and social efficiency.

The construction of HCMC Urban Railway No. 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) is more than 98% complete, with both underground and elevated stations nearing completion. The metro line is expected to be operational by the fourth quarter of 2024.

The collaboration between HURC1 and Mastercard represents a major advancement in the modernization of Ho Chi Minh City's public transportation system. By introducing smart payment solutions, the partnership aims to enhance the overall passenger experience, making public transport more accessible, efficient, and secure.

With this strategic cooperation, Ho Chi Minh City is set to lead the way in smart, cashless public transportation, paving the way for a more connected and efficient urban mobility system.

PV