Public transport • Account-based ticketing • South Africa
Locally manufactured CIPURSE cards.
Ready for your transport project.
Cardtech manufactures CIPURSE cards in South Africa and programs them according to SANRAL specifications. We provide card manufacture, printing and personalisation in-house at our Isando facility for municipal transport operators and ticketing integrators.
Plan your rollout or replenish an existing scheme with local card supply. Share your quantity, programming requirements and delivery date for confirmed availability and pricing.
What are CIPURSE cards and how do they work?
CIPURSE™ is an open security standard for contactless ticketing. In an account-based ticketing (ABT) system, a CIPURSE card identifies a passenger’s transport account so the connected system can validate travel and apply fare rules.
CIPURSE helps a card and a compatible reader exchange information securely. Developed by OSPT Alliance, it uses established smart-card standards and AES-128 cryptography. Its open approach supports choice between compatible suppliers and a platform that can grow with a transport network.
CIPURSE is the card security technology; account-based ticketing (ABT) is the fare-management approach. The card, validators and back-office system work together. The card alone does not provide the complete ticketing service.
A passenger gets a card
The operator issues a programmed card and links it to the ticketing scheme. Passengers fund their transport accounts through the channels the scheme offers.
The system checks the journey
The passenger taps a compatible validator. The system authenticates the card and checks travel eligibility under the operator’s rules.
The account brings it together
The back office applies fare rules and reconciles journey activity. Appropriate on-card information can support validation and continuity in the field.
CIPURSE card benefits for public transport ticketing
Make travel accessible
A dedicated transport card can serve passengers without a bank card or smartphone. A scheme that supports cash-funded accounts can include cash-paying commuters in contactless travel.
Shape fares around passengers
Account-based systems can support concessions, transfer rules and fare caps where configured. Central fare management helps operators adapt ticketing policies as services change.
Keep boarding moving
Contactless validation supports a simple tap at entry. CIPURSE can support on-card status information to help manage access when connectivity is slow or interrupted, subject to the scheme’s risk rules.
Protect ticketing information
Authentication, encryption and controlled access help protect card data and transactions. Effective security also depends on correctly configured cards, readers and operating procedures.
Keep supplier options open
An open standard gives operators a basis for sourcing compatible components and planning upgrades. Integration and acceptance testing establish compatibility for each deployment.
Plan for a connected network
Common standards support future expansion across participating services. Shared journeys still require aligned fare rules, back-office integration and agreements between operators.
Learn more from OSPT Alliance’s transport-agency guidance and its account-based ticketing guide (PDF).
Manufactured and programmed by CardTech
CIPURSE cards programmed to SANRAL specifications
CardTech brings seven years of experience supplying cards for South African municipal account-based ticketing systems. We manufacture and personalise CIPURSE cards at our facility in Isando, Gauteng, with the card production process managed in-house.
For operators and integrators sourcing SANRAL-specification transport cards, correct programming matters as much as print quality. We prepare cards to the agreed SANRAL personalisation requirements and coordinate the card specification with your project team.
- Local card manufacture and printing: durable cards carrying your scheme’s approved artwork and identification.
- In-house programming and personalisation: card configuration according to SANRAL specifications and the agreed deployment requirements.
- Card verification: checking personalisation forms part of preparing cards for the agreed acceptance process.
- Stock for fast turnaround: we carry stock to support replenishment and rollout needs. Timing depends on quantity, artwork approval and programming requirements.
- One card-supply partner: discuss manufacture, personalisation and delivery with the same local team.
Planning a new scheme or replenishing an existing one? Tell us your required quantity, ticketing-system provider and target delivery date. We will confirm the appropriate card specification, availability and production schedule.
Request CIPURSE card pricing Explore our card manufacturing capabilities
How to order CIPURSE cards for your transport scheme
- Define the deployment. Share your system requirements, quantities, artwork and rollout dates.
- Agree the card and personalisation. CardTech and your authorised project team confirm the specification and required acceptance checks.
- Confirm production and delivery. We plan the in-house work and stock allocation around the agreed order.
- Prepare for ongoing supply. Include replenishment needs and phased deliveries in your card plan.
CardTech supplies the manufactured and programmed cards. Your operator and ticketing integrator provide the connected readers, back office, account services and scheme operation.
Explore our RFID transport card manufacturing for wider project planning, or view our RFID card options for other applications.
CIPURSE cards and SANRAL programming FAQs
Does CardTech manufacture CIPURSE cards in South Africa?
Yes. Card Technology Services manufactures CIPURSE cards in South Africa and provides printing, programming and personalisation in-house. We have seven years of experience supplying cards for municipal ABT systems.
Can CardTech program cards according to SANRAL specifications?
Yes. We program CIPURSE transport cards according to SANRAL specifications, with the applicable personalisation requirements agreed for your project. Include your ticketing-system provider and specification requirements when requesting a quote.
Does a passenger need a bank account?
A dedicated CIPURSE transport card can be used in a scheme that allows a passenger to prefund a transport account without a bank account. The available funding methods depend on the operator’s scheme.
Can CIPURSE support validation when a connection drops?
Yes, suitably designed systems can use secure on-card status information to support local validation and manage risk during connectivity interruptions. This capability must be implemented in the card profile, validators and back office; it is not automatic in every installation.
Will the cards work with our existing validators?
Compatibility depends on the reader, software, security configuration and card profile. Your integrator should confirm these requirements and complete the agreed acceptance checks before rollout.
How quickly can CardTech supply CIPURSE cards?
We carry stock for fast turnaround. Contact us with your quantity, artwork and programming requirements so we can confirm availability and a realistic delivery date for your order.
Explore the CIPURSE standard
Visit OSPT Alliance, the organisation behind the standard, for authoritative CIPURSE technology information and technical FAQs.
CIPURSE™ is a trademark of OSPT Alliance.
Request CIPURSE card pricing and availability
Contact CardTech for CIPURSE card manufacture, SANRAL-specification programming or replenishment stock. Tell us about your organisation, estimated quantity and target date. Our sales team will discuss the next steps with you.
087 135 7135 · sales@cardtech.co.za
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