07 Apr 2026

Thailand: Transforming Bangkok MRT with Unified, Cashless Ticketing

Case Study 3 minute read

Our goal was to create a seamless, future ready, ticketing experience for everyone who relies on Bangkok’s metro. By modernizing legacy systems and unifying payment options across multiple lines, we’ve made travel simpler, faster, and more accessible. We are proud to help deliver a system that truly improves daily journeys for millions of passengers across the city.

Doungrat Punsupol

Account Manager, Hitachi Rail Thailand

Challenge

Bangkok welcomes over 30 million international visitors each year and remains one of Asia’s most congested cities. To shift more travelers toward public transport, the metro network needed to offer a smoother, more digital experience. Yet passengers still faced long queues, cash only payments, and conventional ticketing systems that limited convenience and discouraged adoption.

The Blue and Purple Line AFC systems, installed more than a decade ago, were reaching the end of their lifecycle and offered only basic, closed loop payment options. With the launch of the new Orange Line, operators required a unified, futureproof ticketing platform that could support open loop EMV payments, mobile QR ticketing and seamless interoperability across multiple lines. The challenge was not only to modernize infrastructure but also to deliver a mobility experience aligned with the expectations of an international city.

Solution

Hitachi partnered with Bangkok’s metro operator to deliver a fully interoperable, next generation ticketing system across the network. For the 53 stations of Blue Line and Purple Line, Hitachi deployed an open loop EMV solution supported by an Account Based Ticketing back office and retrofitted 600 existing gates to meet EMV payment standards. This upgrade enabled passengers to tap in with contactless bank cards, eliminating the need for cash or physical top-ups.

To ensure inclusivity, Hitachi also enabled the issuance of white label EMV cards that preserve concession fares for children, students, and senior citizens. An open interface now allows users to purchase fare products through a mobile application using contactless payments. Together, these enhancements modernize the entire ticketing ecosystem.

Impact

The upgraded system has already been integrated with the Red Line, enabling interoperable fares—such as daily fare capping—across multiple lines in support of national fare subsidy initiatives. Since launch, EMV payment penetration has grown steadily, demonstrating strong passenger adoption of cashless mobility.

By offering a wide range of payment options, including EMV, QR ticketing and mobile wallets, the solution significantly improves the travel experience for both residents and international visitors. Centralized fare collection across lines enhances operational efficiency and customer service, while compliance with international and local standards ensures long-term reliability. The result is a modern, inclusive, and future ready ticketing system that strengthens Bangkok’s position as a connected smart mobility city.