MasterCard looks at paper

Currently, MasterCard already uses RFID transponders in over 46,000 locations via their plastic PayPass system. Now, the Company has started to research a contactless paper version of the card which will utilize the same transponder.

The disposable tickets are made up of a PVC-coated paper outlay, a silver ink antenna and a 13.56 MHz RFID chip based on the ISO 14443 air-interface standard.

The goal is to provide a low-cost alternative to those patrons without credit cards or who will only need to use the system a few times. They are looking into making the tickets loadable, so that consumers would be able to specify the exact number of rides that they would like to pay for.

The new paper ticket could also be used at music and sporting events to pay for stadium access, as well as for concessions such as food and drinks.