THIS MONTH is due to see the start of conversion work on around 2000 gate controllers on the Paris metro network to accept contactless smart cards as well as magnetic stripe tickets. To be completed by July, the work is being undertaken by Ascom under a contract worth around Fr60m awarded last July (RG 8.00 p461).
RATP has several different types of gate controller installed since the 1970s, and Ascom has been developed electronics modules and new casings for each design. Some gates have already been adapted to accept smart cards as part of RATP’s pilot programme involving both staff and passengers.
Ascom is also supplying 286 ticket vending machines to RATP under a separate Fr50m contract. To be installed this year, they are designed to accept payment by cash or bank card, in francs or euros, and to recharge smart cards.
Barcode scanners
NORWEGIAN State Railway is due to take delivery in March of 250 hand-held ticket verifiers from Hannover-based H
