In an attempt to take the country’s road toll payments network digital, Mastercard has signed a strategic partnership with the Pakistani intelligent transport systems provider, One Network.
Mastercard is set to integrate its digital payment gateway infrastructure into One Network’s M-Tag smartphone app.
The M-Tag app uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to automatically and digitally deduct credit from commuters’ prepaid M-Tag accounts as they pass through RFID-enabled toll lanes. Every year, over three hundred million vehicles travel and pay Toll Tax on Pakistan’s motorways.
With the integration of Mastercard’s digital mobility payment solutions, commuters will be able to add credit through the new app in advance of their journey. M-Tag will also enable motorists to review their travel history and check their real-time credit balance.
The announcement was signed at the Pakistan Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, where Mastercard is the Official Payment Technology Partner, in the presence of Frontier Works Organisation; Pakistan’s biggest toll collection entity.
Commenting on the partnership, Khalid Elgibali, Division President, Middle East & North Africa at Mastercard, said: “As a trusted partner to the government of Pakistan, we are delighted to integrate Mastercard’s digital payment mobility solutions into One Network’s electronic toll collection system and smartphone application. Mastercard will continue to work with our partners to build a digital payments ecosystem that serves the businesses and people of Pakistan through simple, safe and seamless solutions that keep people and the economy moving.”
The Chief Executive Officer of One Network, Asif Siddique said: “We are delighted to announce that now commuters can easily recharge their M-Tag account through our Mobile App. Partnering with Mastercard to simplify toll tax payments for the millions of commuters across Pakistan’s road network bring us a step forward in driving smart transformation in the country and enriching the lives of our citizens.”
The CEO of Frontier Works Organisation, Kamal Azfar, joined the signing ceremony at Dubai Expo 2020, where he expressed his support and emphasised the Organisation’s drive to make Pakistan’s motorways congestion-free using cashless toll collection.
The widespread adoption of digital payments for M-Tag usage in Pakistan will serve as a broad economic enabler that speeds the flow of goods, boosts tourism and further advances financial inclusion.
The collaboration – the latest in a series of strategic partnerships that have cemented Mastercard’s role as a key enabler of digitization across Pakistan – will also see Mastercard drive visibility and adoption of the new application across multiple media channels.
