Electronic bus, kombi fares on the cards

A GWERU-based company, Netcoms, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pascal Technologies (Ltd) of Rwanda for transfer of technology for the introduction a smart tap and go card that enables commuters to pay their transport fares electronically.

In an interview, Netcoms research and development officer Mr Lovejoy Matare said Pascal Technologies is already implementing the smart tap and go card for the transport sector in Rwanda.

He said tap and go card service will enable transport companies to become more efficient and boost revenues as it ensures proper and accurate revenue collection hence improving management of the customer and the transport companies.

“This technology has proved a success in Rwanda where we adopted it. In order for us to be fully oriented to the system we engaged various parastatals and companies in Rwanda. We signed an MoU with Pascal Technologies Ltd, a leading technology company in Rwanda which installs and support electronic payment systems for transfer of technology so that we are able to implement it back home,” said Mr Matare, who returned from Rwanda recently.

He said they also met with officials from Rwanda Utilities Regulation Authority (RURA), Private Sector Federation (PSF) and Rwanda National Police (RNP) to fully appreciate how the Government was benefiting from the technology.

A subsidiary of TM Holdings, Netcoms is a technology company which develops, manufactures, supports and sells computer software and services.

He said investors on the continent and abroad are willing to invest in the country after President Mnangagwa declared that the country is now open for business.

“Our objective as a company is to strengthen and advance ICT inasfar as transport and communication in Zimbabwe is concerned. Our services range from electronic payment systems for commuter omnibus, buses and taxis to vehicle monitoring and tracking for companies and individuals.”

“We have currently started implementation of an electronic payment system where passengers or commuters don’t require hard cash to pay for their commuter omnibus or bus fares but rather use our smart tap and go card.”

“Installation of electronic payment machines has started for all routes in Gweru and soon we will be extending coverage to all Harare and Bulawayo routes.

“The service bouquet includes GPS tracking, where we install GPS trackers, monitor and track vehicles for a small fee,” he said.