Helsinki gets NFC tram stops

Connecting with NFC at a Helsinki tram stop

NFC technology is being tested on 211 covered tram stops in Helsinki, Finland.

The pilot involves placing two tags at each tram stop. The first allows passengers to easily purchase tram tickets from their mobile phone and the second enables them to connect to a Twitter-like virtual messaging wall where passengers “can post their thoughts from the road: observations, tips, or random thoughts.”

The tags have been specially produced by Hansaprint’s TagAge service. Hansaprint selected the sticker materials, embedded the tags and programmed them individually. The finished stickers included a transfer film and guidelines to facilitate application.

“The stickers for the tram stops were laminated to protect them from UV radiation, and they are also otherwise extremely resistant to outdoor conditions”, says Taisto Junkkari, Hansaprint’s sales and development manager.

Helsinki Region Transport (HRT), Nokia, daily newspaper Metro and Forum Virium Helsinki are all participating in the Pysäkkiseinä pilot.

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