Smart paper ticket

Smart paper tickets are paper or light cardboard tickets that incorporate additional features. The additional features include:

• Holographic image, which is checked visually. The holographic image is difficult to produce, which makes it prohibitive for fraudsters to manufacture illicit tickets. The holographic image is designed to be impossible to photocopy, thus eliminating the possibility for fraudsters to replicate valid tickets to any degree of quality that would pass inspection.
• Barcodes, which are scanned by a barcode reader. The reader may operate in stand-alone mode, verifying that the information contained on barcode corresponds to a valid travel document. More typically, the barcode reader is connected to a fare collection system device (e.g. ticket issuing machine, station computer) and may also be connected to a gate or turnstile, or to a fare-box.

Smart paper tickets should not be confused with smart-cards, though the term is sometimes loosely used for a memory card that is compatible with a smart-card ticketing system. However a standard smart paper ticket does not contain a microprocessor, memory or communication capability.

Smart tickets with holographic images are usually pre-printed or partially pre-printed ticket stock. They are used in the following applications:

• Period passes and employee passes, which have high worth and would be worthwhile for fraudsters to replicate. These are fully pre-printed stock, often color-coded by month or customer type. The hologram is an additional security feature.
• Day and multi-day passes intended for self-validation to initiate the time period, and which are distributed through a network of third party vendors. Although the face value is lower than for period passes, the lack of control in the distribution network presents a major vulnerability in case of good quality fraudulent replication.
• Tickets with variable parameters (date, time, fare, destination, travel class) issued at booking offices. Tickets with smart features are usually issued only for higher value fares, and not for low-price urban fares.

Smart tickets with bar codes are used in the following applications:

• Single / return paper tickets which are issued away from the point of use, and which are read by the bar code reader to determine their validity.
• Single / return paper tickets issued by pavement conductors.
• Tickets purchased online and printed by the user prior to travel.
• Time-based passes and employee passes as an additional security feature, and a means of both checking their validity and recording their use.

Benefits of smart paper tickets are:

• A high level of ticket security can be achieved with holographic images, requiring potential fraudsters to have quite advanced technology.
• Tickets with bar codes are machine-readable. This allows automation of fare collection and inspection processes.
• Bar code tickets can be used for online sales.
• The technology is used widely. It is supported by international standards.
• The consumables are relatively inexpensive.
• The tickets can accept graphics for promotions and information.

Cautions with regard to smart paper tickets are:

• Machines for barcode tickets need to be purchased and maintained.
• Supply and control of ticket stock still needs to be managed and monitored.
• Although reasonably secure, the technology required to replicate them is readily available, and fraudulent production on a large scale is possible.