EU project to develop mobile phone payment system for travellers
The Information Society DG take-up action 'telepay', which is aiming to make possible payment via portable phone, got underway in July with a launch meeting chaired by ERTICO, a public/private partnership for intelligent transport systems (ITS) in Europe and the project coordinator. The project aims to develop an innovative portable phone payment system for such transport services as tolling for motorways, public transport and parking. The consortium will first identify user needs and then undertake specification activities. Trials, which will be held between February and September 2002, will test the use of portable phones (SMS and WAP) and Bluetooth interface in four test sites located in Berlin, Germany, Turku, Finland, Paris, France and Rome, Italy. The launch meeting was attended by the ten participants, representing city public transport, information and communication mobile services and intelligent transport consulting companies. The participants come from Italy, Germany, Finland and France.