Cubic responds to Clipper card exploits

Cubic Transportation Systems, distributor of the electronic transit Clipper card, has responded to the recent news of a Ph.D. student in IT Security allegedly breaking the encryption in Clipper and similar transit cards. According SF Weekly, David Oswald, a student at the Ruhr University of Bochum in Germany, broke the encryption using items purchased through a nearby electronics retailer, and by using “a bit of know-how.” From there, he could potentially load the hacked transit card with free rides or create and sell copies for profit.Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

State of Colorado judicial center installs 310 HID multiCLASS readers

The Ralph Carr Judicial Center in Denver, Colorado has selected AMAG Technology’s Symmetry Homeland V7 Security Management System,to provide integrated access control and security management solutions from HID Global. AMAG’s Symmetry Homeland Security Management System will integrate with 310 HID RP40 multiCLASS smart card readers, which combines HID Prox 125 kHz proximity and iCLASS 13.56 MHz credentials into a single reader.Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

Bluestar launches cashless ticketing scheme

UK-regional bus group Bluestar has launched a new transit card for discounted weekly and monthly travel on its network, according to Southern Daily Echo. The new card enables cashless fare for any service on the Bluestar Network in Southampton, Eastleigh and Winchester. It also supports travel on Wilts & Dorset buses and Southern Vectis on the Isle of Wight, both of which are owned and operated by Go-Ahead Group. It is hoped that fewer cash transactions will help to speed up boarding times and reduce delays at busy bus stops. Read more here.  Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

Results revealed from MTA, MasterCard PayPass pilot

As some may recall back in June 2010, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York launched tap-and-go contactless payments for commuters to enter select subway stations and participating bus lines using MasterCard PayPass-enabled terminals. Well, the results are in. According to Fast Company, the pilot comprised of 26 MTA subway stations and eight bus lines - of the 468 subway stations and 183 bus routes - throughout the city. During the six-month pilot more than 17,000 commuters boarded MTA subway stations and buses using the MasterCard’s PayPal system. Of which, approximately 74,000 taps were recorded.Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

Identive acquires majority stake in German cashless payment provider

Identive Group Inc. has announced a deal to acquire a majority stake in Hamburg, Germany-based payment solution AG, a cashless payment system provider for stadiums, arenas and other types of entertainment venues. payment solution’s systems use contactless smart cards to enable faster payment methods at event sites. The systems incorporate payment management software, smart cards and reader and communication infrastructure. Clients may purchase either a turnkey solution or a multi-year contract where payment solution operates and maintains the system in return for a revenue share.Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

Survey: Germans coming around to NFC, contactless payments

A new survey from Euro Kartensysteme shows that Germans are starting to embrace the idea of contactless and NFC payments. Out of 1,040 Germans aged 18-59, 43% responded that they would like to make contactless payments if given the opportunity, of which 58% percent would make their payments with a debit card card, 41% with a credit card and 50% with an NFC phone.Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

STARCHIP acquires contactless technology through partnership with CEA-Leti

StarChip and CEA-Leti have inked a partnership agreement to develop a contactless front end for smart card applications. The partnership includes technology and know-how transfer to StarChip. With this combined experience in secure integrated circuit development and contactless technology, StarChip will roll out state-of-the-art smart card products to enable applications in transport, banking and identity. The CEA-Leti will bring to StarChip the added benefits of its more than ten years’ experience in contactless technology, in order to extend StarChip’s product portfolio.  Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

Canada parking catches a ride on the Visa payWave

Visa and Imperial Parking Canada Corp. (Impark) are teaming up to offer Visa payWave contactless payments to 72 of its attended parking facilities across Canada. Customers at participating parking lots can now simply wave-and-pay, when purchasing parking at a payWave enabled Impark parking lot. Based on EMV chip technology, payWave transactions are fast and secure - convenient for Visa both merchants and cardholders.Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

Gemalto preps for large-scale EMV deployment in France

Credit Agricole, a retail banking group based in Paris, is teaming up with Gemalto to launch a large-scale deployment of contactless EMV banking cards in France. The deployment will leverage the secure Optelio contactless EMV banking card certified by “Groupement d’Interet Economique – Carte Bancaire” (GIE_CB). With it, cardholders can make purchases by simply waving or tapping their card in front of a contactless reader at the point-of-sale for transactions less than 20 euros (approximately USD $26); purchases above that amount will require a PIN verification.Read the full article at ContactlessNews…

MasterCard unveils payments road map

MasterCard introduced a road map focused on advancing the U.S. electronic payments system. The map, which includes the path for migration from magnetic stripe to EMV technology available on chip cards, will serve as the foundation for the next generation of products and services. As payments evolve to include new devices and new channels, such as mobile and eCommerce, the road map takes steps to address how consumers shop, providing them greater security and control in their payment choices and the potential to integrate loyalty programs and offers into the purchasing experience.Read the full article at ContactlessNews…