Putco extends smart ticketing to Soweto after successful launch in Eldorado Park

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Published Sep 27, 2022

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Johannesburg – Putco has launched a new electronic ticketing system in Soweto in partnership with Blue Label Distribution company Ticketpro. The new Smart Tap system by one of South Africa’s largest public passenger transport companies features a Near-Field Communications (NFC) enabled smartcard is now available to Soweto Putco commuters.

This will enable passengers to buy Putco Smart Tap cards and electronic tickets from Blu Approved petroleum and retail outlets in and around Soweto. The Smart Tap cards will retail for R20 but users will be able to get theirs for free from now until November 8 if they register and load at least 10 trips or more.

Matlakala Motloung, business development and marketing executive at Putco, said they were thrilled about the new venture.

“We are excited to bring this new ticketing system to Soweto following a successful launch in Eldorado Park. Soweto commuters will benefit from a safer, more modern and convenient alternative to paper tickets with longer trading hours for ticket purchases and top-ups.”

Motloung said Putco’s pilot in Eldorado Park confirmed that this new system assisted in fighting fraud and provided data-driven insight into commuter behaviour.

“This will help us to keep improving our service to our customers,” he said.

“The system complies with government policies that require bus operators’ ticketing systems to be able to integrate with multiple modes of transportation.”

This is how you can get and use your Smart Tap card:

Step 1: Get your new Putco Smart Tap card at a participating Blu Approved outlet for free if you register and load a minimum of 10 trips from now until November 8, 2022.

Step 2: Register your card. You’ll need your name, surname and phone number ready.

You can update your information any time you buy bus trips with your card.

Step 3: Buy and load your weekly and monthly bus trips from your participating Blu Approved outlet.

Step 4: When you get on the bus, tap your new card on the Smart Tap Device. The device will show a green light if you have a valid trip.

Step 5: You will receive a receipt for the transaction, which you need to keep as proof of payment. The receipt will also show your card balance.

Top up your card whenever you need to, at a participating Blu Approved Outlet.

Users can get their Putco Smart Tap cards and tickets from the same merchants where they buy airtime, data, electricity and other value-added services.

“There is no more waiting in queues, no booking fees, and no travelling out of your way to get bus trips. You can easily transfer a trip if your card is damaged, lost or stolen. The trips have longer validity periods, making things more convenient,” Motloung said.

Meanwhile, Ticketpro managing director Brandon Stuart Lee Duffield said they were pleased to partner with Putco to enable Soweto commuters to enjoy a new ticketing system “that completely transforms the passenger experience”.

“Our partnership makes life easier for Putco customers while enabling our merchants to expand their product range and grow their businesses.”

The Saturday Star

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