EasyChair Preprint

№ 10476

Bus Fare Collection System Using RFID and GPS

Shazid Bin Zaman, Richard Victor Biswas and

Eftakharul Islam Emon

EasyChair preprints are intended for rapid

dissemination of research results and are
integrated with the rest of EasyChair.

June 30, 2023

 Bus Fare Collection System using RFID and GPS
Abstract— This paper discusses the development of an Automatic including future expansion of the project. Finally, Part VII
Fare Collection (AFC) combining the Radio Frequency Identification provides references used in the report.
(RFID) and Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies for public
transportation buses in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The paper begins with II. LITERATURE REVIEW
an introduction highlighting the need for such a system due to the
dissatisfaction of passengers and high fare collection. A literature In [4] the RFID-based location information system not only
review is provided, presenting previous studies and systems using assists in guiding passengers based on their present and intended
RFID and GPS technologies. The methodology section explains the destinations but also enables us to predict bus timings and offer a
working principle, components, implementation, and experimental higher level of service. Alternatively, instead of using RFID and
setup of the proposed AFC system. The report then presents a cost GPS, we can opt for smart cards to track passenger entry and exit
analysis and discusses the results of the project, highlighting its locations and determine the fare by considering the distance
limitations. The paper concludes with recommendations for future
covered during travel. The GPS and smart card can be connected
expansion of the project and references used in the report. The
proposed system utilizes RFID and GPS technologies to record to a microcontroller to program this system. [7]. Another research
passenger boarding and arrival locations and automatically deduct paper proposes a ticketing system that utilizes RFID-based tickets
fares. The system eliminates the need for paper tickets, offers and GPS to calculate the fare and store the traveler’s information
onboard ticket inspection, and can introduce spatial validation accurately. However, security concerns surround the reader's
elements to enhance its usefulness. memory, which stores the passenger's transaction data for the
entire day [5]. A different system that employs RFID tags to
Index Terms—RFID, Ticketing system, GPS calculate the fare and maintaining the number of people boarding
the vehicle requires additional time because only one tag can be
I. INTRODUCTION scanned at a time [6].

E verything is intelligent and digitalized today, and the

transportation industry has seen significant advancements.
However, the public transportation buses in Dhaka have
yet to keep up with these innovations. One area of research is
intelligent transportation systems for people on the move, where
III. METHODOLOGY
Buses are monitored by conductors who collect fares from
passengers and distribute paper or token tickets. However, this
method has its drawbacks. Conductors must ensure all passengers
the global positioning system plays a crucial role in determining have tickets; printing tickets require more paper and time.
positions. In some metropolitan areas where location Passengers must also keep their tickets until they reach their
determination errors may occur, visual odometry is another destination. To overcome these challenges, portable devices are
strategy that can be used. According to the BRTC government now used. Nonetheless, this system can still be time-consuming
portal, there are 200 routes in Dhaka city [1], and 974 buses and wasteful. For instance, if a passenger wants to board a bus,
operate there [2]. Unfortunately, a survey conducted in March they must have cash, and the conductor will issue a ticket after
2017 found that only 94 out of 995 respondents were satisfied with collecting the money.
the bus services in Dhaka city, while 610 people were not satisfied
[3]. Additionally, public transport has an additional fare collection An alternative solution is the Automatic Fare Collection (AFC)
of 182 Cr. taka per day. system, which includes an automatic vehicle locating system that
monitors every passenger boarding a bus and records transaction
details such as the route, bus number, trip card used, and time and
The report is divided into several parts. The first part, Part I,
location of the journey. This system eliminates the need for paper
provides an introduction to the report, including its purpose, how
tickets and can be used for onboard ticket inspection. Furthermore,
it was conducted, and the reason behind its creation. In Part II, a
it can introduce novel spatial validation elements to enhance its
literature review is presented, which includes previous papers, usefulness.
data, analysis, and results related to the project. Part III explains
the methodology of the report, outlining how the project was A. RFID system
planned, the analysis that was conducted, the working principle, The system consists of three primary components, namely an
and a description of the components, implementation, and antenna, a RFID tag, and a transceiver. These components are
experimental setup. Part IV illustrates the cost analysis and illustrated in Figure 1. A key benefit of RFID technology, unlike
describes how reliable the project is in terms of cost. In Part V, the other systems, Line of Sight (LOS) scanning is not required. When
report presents the results of the project, discussing how it helps the antenna sends a signal to the transponder using radio frequency
in preventing fare collection problems and how it can change the waves, it activates the transponder. Once activated, the antenna
entire experience of using local transport. The report also can receive data that the tag transmits. This data is then used to
highlights its limitations. Part VI concludes the report and notify a programmable logic controller to detect any action. The
provides recommendations based on the results of the report, actions detected can be simple, like opening a gate, or complex,
like interacting with a database to conduct a financial transaction.
RFID systems that operate between 30 KHz and 500 KHz can
typically only cover short distances of less than six feet, while
higher frequency systems that operate between 850 and 950 MHz
and between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz can cover longer distances of over
90 feet. In general, as the frequency increases, the cost of the
system also increases.

Fig. 3. Arduino MEGA.

The RFID reader is a device that can be connected to a network

and is either portable or fixed. It employs radio waves to send
signals that trigger the tag. Once the tag is activated, it emits a
Fig. 1. RFID System. wave received by the antenna and then translated into data. The
transponder is located within the RFID tag.
B. GPS System
GPS is a radio signal-based system that determines a user's
location and provides features such as moving-map displays and
GPS-enabled radio controls, also available from car
manufacturers. The GPS receiver can compute a vehicle's position
in terms of latitude and longitude.

C. Process
Passengers tap their card on an RFID reader when they board Fig. 4. RFID Reader.
the bus, and the Arduino saves their departure location against
their card ID. When the passengers reach their destination, they The GPS relies on signals from satellites in space and Earth-
tap their card again, and the arrival location is recorded. The based ground stations to accurately determine its location on
distance traveled is calculated, and the fare is automatically Earth. The NEO-6M GPS receiver module operates USART
deducted. communication to connect to an Arduino or PC interface.

Fig. 5. GPS Module.

The LCD can show 16 characters per line, and two lines are
available. A 5x7 pixel matrix represents each character. The 16x2
alphanumeric dot matrix display can exhibit 224 various
characters and symbols. The LCD is equipped with two registers,
Fig. 2. Project workflow. which are Command and Data.

D. Components
The ATmega2560-based microcontroller board, known as the
Arduino Mega 2560, contains 54 digital input/output pins, of
which 15 can function as PWM outputs. Additionally, it has 16
analog inputs, 4 UARTs, a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a USB
connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button.
Fig. 6. 16x2 LCD and 3.7v x 2 battery with DC jack.
 F. Experimental Setup
According to implementation setup all module has been
connected, here is the connection picture.

Fig. 7. Breadboard and Jumper Wires.

Fig. 8. Green led, Red led and 330Ohm resistor.

Fig. 9. Experimental setup of bus fare collection system.
E. Implementation
In this project Arduino Mega acts as mater and other module IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
acts as slave. RFID reader, GPS module, LCD 16x2 is slave. So, A. Actual implementation and result
this module is connected according to particular module datasheet. Showing step by step how this project runs. In idle state RFID
After warring all component accordingly, we run some example reader ready to scan RFID tag or card. LCD display shows project
code to test each module. Connection between Arduino mega to title and gives instruction to tap your card.
other modules, battery and LEDs.

RFID Reader Arduino Mega

RST 5
SDA (SS) 53
MOSI 51
MISO 50
SCK 52
3.3v 3.3v
GND GND
Fig. 11. Project in idle state.
LCD Display Arduino Mega
Upon the first card punch by a passenger, the Arduino device
GND GND saves the RFID tag data along with the latitude and longitude of
the location for future reference. This enables the Arduino to
VCC 5v calculate the distance between the first and second punch locations
SDA SDA when the same passenger punches the card again. The RFID reader
remains in an idle state and is always ready to scan the RFID tag
SCL SCL or card. The LCD display showcases the project title and provides
instructions for the passenger to tap their card.
GPS Module Arduino Mega
GND GND
VCC 3.3v
RX RX1
TX TX1
Green led 1 6
Red led 7
Green led 2 8
3.7v x 2 battery DC input
Fig. 12. Passenger punch the RFID tag/card.
 In second punch Arduino first compere it’s new punch or
second punch. If it is second punch Arduino takes current location
and calculates distance form previously stored location. Arduino
also calculate fare according to the distance.

Fig. 16. Balance low.

Therefore, explaining all functionality of this project, it serves

the basis solution of our problem. It works accurately as our model
and expectation.

B. Limitations in the project

• This project can’t handle new user, project only works
Fig. 13. Passenger punching again and fare deducted. for the given RFID tag in the implementation code.
• GPS doesn’t work in indoor. So, we used time function
Using blue RFID tag this turns into recharge mode, now to calculate fare.
punching passenger card will recharge 40 points.
V. CONCLUSION
The proposed solution smooths the ticketing process by
replacing paper tickets, reducing ticket processing time, and
avoiding unnecessary disputes between passengers and ticket
inspectors. The travel card enables users to exchange tickets with
exact change and eliminates needing to renew bus passes at the
transportation company in person. Additionally, this project has
the potential for future expansion, including developing an app
that enables users to track their bus's exact location and complete
transactions using credit cards and mobile banking payment
channels. To prevent the fraudulent use of a lost or stolen travel
card, it is necessary to include a feature to deactivate the card. This
travel card will tackle the typical problems experienced by
commuters and ticket inspectors by integrating modern features,
Fig. 14. Recharge mode on. while also helping the transportation company to boost their
revenue. With the implementation of this system, the actual fare
After recharge it shows success message and balance. collection will be ensured, eliminating any possibility of extra
charges. Additionally, the system will also ensure that students
receive discounted fares.

VII. REFERENCES
[1] “BRTC Bus routes and Bus numbers of its own Managed Depot
Dhaka,” http://brtc.portal.gov.bd/. [Online]. Available:
http://brtc.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/brtc.portal.gov.bd/page
/56e88402_159e_47dd_a5cd_cc00520effad/Update%20%20BRTC%2
0Bus%20and%20Route%20English%20(1).pdf. [Accessed: 14- May-
2023].
[2] R. Ahasan and A. Kabir, "Performance Evaluation of Public
Transportation System: Analyzing the Case of Dhaka, Bangladesh",
SSRN Electronic Journal, 2019. Available: 10.2139/ssrn.3560667
[Accessed 12 May 2023].
[3] M. Quddus, F. Rahman, F. Monsuur, J. de Ona and M. Enoch,
"Analyzing Bus Passengers’ Satisfaction in Dhaka using Discrete
Choice Models", Transportation Research Record: Journal of the
Transportation Research Board, vol. 2673, no. 2, pp. 758-768, 2019.
Fig. 15. Recharge Success. [4] Karthika J, Varshanapriyaa S, Sai Haran S, SuriyaPrakash C, Automatic
Bus Fare Collection System using GPS and RFID Technology,
International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics, Volume 118,
When balance is low it will not allow to travel, shows balance Number 20, pp 1119-1124, 2020.
low message and current balance. Also indicate a red led. [5] Saurabh C., Prof. Balram T., Public transport system ticketing system
using RFID and ARM processor Perspective Mumbai bus facility
 B.E.S.T, International Journal of Electronics and Computer Science
Engineering, 2014 ISSN- 2277-1956.
[6] P. Telluri, S. Manam, and J. M. Oli, “Automated bus ticketing system
using RFID,” 2019 2nd International Conference on Intelligent
Computing, Instrumentation and Control Technologies (ICICICT),
2019.
[7] M. Kassim, A. S. Salleh, S. Shahbudin, M. Yusoff, N. A. Kamaluddin,
“IoT Bus Tracking System Localization via GPS-RFID”, 4th
International Conference on Electronics, Materials Engineering &
Nano-Technology (IEMENTech), 2020.