Unicard and Amdocs are working together to deliver an account-based ticketing (ABT) breakthrough that solves the problem of linking concessionary fares to an open-loop travel payments system.

The ABT platform powered by Unicard’s ABT system and Amdocs’ scalable, automated payment platform running on Amazon Web Services (AWS) enables “tap-in, tap-out” ticketing and smart, frictionless mobility for passengers.

Transport for London has just revealed that it plans to introduce concessionary fares with open-loop payments after the introduction of its new ABT system in 2025.

Enabling concessionary fares on an open-loop payments system has previously proven to be challenging: open-loop systems often do not require users to register, but customers who want to apply for discounted fares are generally required to pass a registration process, and it is not practical to add passenger photographs to their bank credit or debit cards.

However, this is something that can already be enabled with Unicard and Amdocs’ ABT platform. Unicard have been able to leverage their extensive heritage as the number one provider of English National Concessionary Travel schemes to develop a brand new solution that offers passengers the flexibility to travel with a range of different tickets and tokens – including smartcards, mobile apps, digital wallets, or bank cards – whilst still benefitting from discounted fares. This can be delivered standalone, or as a fully-managed service.

The scalable, automated, and API-based nature of Amdocs’ cloud-based payment platform – running on AWS and part of Amdocs’ Digital Brands Suite as a Service – allows for the quick and easy addition and integration of new mobility and transport service providers.

The aim of the ABT system is to encourage passengers to use sustainable forms of transport by removing the payment friction of switching from one mode of travel to another and providing real-time payment and charging updates. Maintaining concessionary discounting ensures that Local Authorities can deliver new, cutting-edge ticketing schemes without excluding elderly, disabled and other less-advantaged groups.