From March 9 to March 11, 2022, a delegation of SAPTCO (Saudi Arabia) headed by Mr. ABDUL AZIZ AL -ASMARI, the IT Director, visited UZCARD in order to study international practices for implementation of innovative online solutions in the field of modern information financial technologies.
The working visit of SAPTCO representatives was held as part of a project to exchange experience in the field of introduction of advanced cashless payment systems in public transport, carried out in Uzbekistan by ATTO LLC, UZCARD’s subsidiary. The guests got acquainted with the current results of actions taken to optimize operation of transport and improve quality of passenger service. ATTO LLC employees gave a detailed account about the key electronic modules included in a single platform, the current progress in implementation of the contactless fare payment system in the regions of the Republic, as well as connecting other types of transport to ATTO system – minibuses, electric trains and interurban motor transport. The guests, among other things, visited metro stations, where they were able to monitor the use of validators in real time and evaluate the flow of online payments.
During the visit, the foreign guests held working meetings with the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Toshshahartranskhizmat JSC, where they got acquainted with the current results of the reforms, as well as the key tasks and long-term plans for the industry development in the near future.
The SAPTCO consortium of companies intends to use the gained experience in subsequent implementation in Medina (Saudi Arabia).
In addition, members of the foreign delegation highly appreciated activities of UZCARD and expressed the opinion that confident efforts in this direction, the use of such design solutions make advanced technologies as accessible as possible for citizens of the country, significantly facilitate everyday life and make it more comfortable.
Summing up the results of the meeting, the parties agreed to continue a more detailed discussion of further cooperation.
Reference information
SAPTCO (Saudi Arabia Public Transport Company) was founded in 1979 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The authorized capital of the Company exceeds USD 300 million. It is the first national land carrier and one of the world’s top five companies in management and operation of public transport.
SAPTCO’s fleet comprises over 3250 vehicles of various types and employs 1997 employees. SAPTCO provides residents with public road transport within the core cities of Riyadh, Mecca Al Mukarram, Medina, Jeddah and Dammam at certain set rates that may vary depending on schedules and traffic levels.