Revolutionizing Transit: SONDA's Payment System Transforms Panama Metro Experience

SONDA's Smart City Transport solution includes equipment, technology, and an integrated fare collection system for buses and the metro, using a valid payment card across the entire existing charging network.

This solution features fleet management support, a monitoring system, turnstile control, and station hubs.

Thanks to Smart City Transport, both public and private transportation users in Panama benefit from a single, valid payment system that covers a wide range of transportation options, including the metro, buses, and a major intermodal terminal. In addition to the significant advantages for users, the solution enhances operations, and control, and simplifies the work for drivers, reducing wait times through self-service payment operations.

Business Need

The Panama City Transportation Authority needed to develop, implement, operate, and maintain a comprehensive automated fare collection service capable of optimizing the financial management of the Panama City metropolitan area's public and private passenger transportation system, including the Panama Metrobus and the Albrook Grand Terminal systems.

Solution

Smart City Transport is a comprehensive transportation service solution from SONDA. It encompasses integrated systems for fare management (ticketing) and the distribution of funds to various service providers (clearing), fleet management, and user information systems, covering the entire cycle of the public or private transportation system with its various components (equipment, software, and IT services).

Results

Thanks to SONDA's solution and services, a more secure, reliable, and efficient payment system was implemented for public transportation, operating in an automated fashion and integrating buses and the metro under a single payment method. This transformation has made Panama's transportation system one of the most modern in Latin America.

With over 1,200 buses covered, integrated with both underground train stations and surface buses, as well as the integration of the Albrook Grand Terminal, this stands as one of SONDA's major success stories in the field of public transportation in Latin America.

Benefits

Enhanced user experience for public and private transportation with self-service, significantly reducing user wait times.

Simplifies the work of drivers, as they no longer handle money, providing greater passenger safety and reducing accidents and bus robberies.

Improved management, control, and administration of public and private transportation fleets, offering increased visibility of buses in transit, and aiding relevant authorities in decision-making.

Payment for Albrook station services using the same transportation card as the Metrobus system, providing better service to passengers in transit.