Sophia-Antipolis, February 09, 2010
ASK and IDECO, its South Africa partner, announced today that they have been selected by the Bombela Operating Company as one of the suppliers to the Gautrain project. ASK will provide the contactless smart cards of the Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system, based on its internationally-renown, reliable technology and mass transit experience. IDECO will provide project support and post-personalisation services.
The Gautrain system will use the contactless ticketing system for all travellers between Johannesburg, Tshwane and OR Tambo International Airport, with various stops along each route.
“Our partner IDECO has really been instrumental in building up the relationship with the client and this confirms the strong relationship between both our companies,” says Christophe Peix, ASK EMEA Sales Manager. “IDECO’s expertise in security and their local sales force along with ASK’s experience in mass transit ticketing and contactless technology will no doubt contribute to ’the Dream on Wheels’1 in South Africa and benefit all the commuters.”
The AFC system will provide convenient access to railway, feeder bus and parking services. Existing motorists and airport passengers are the primary focus in order to relieve the increasing congestion on roads, and the Gautrain provides a safe and clean environment in which to travel.
“ASK support and commitment in this project bodes well for the future of our relationship,” says Stan Khan, IDECO business development director. “We are proud to participate in the largest rapid rail project in our country”

1.Phrase used by Ignatius Jacob, the provincial MEC of public transport, roads and works

About ASK

ASK, with over 150 million contactless products in circulation in more than 50 countries, is a worldwide leading provider of a full range of contactless products including smart cards, smart tickets, smart adhesive labels, readers, inlays for electronic passports or contactless smart cards and eDocuments. ASK is ISO9001 certified and holds a portfolio of 55 patents to date. ASK is a France-headquartered company with worldwide customers, and subsidiaries in Singapore, China, India, Brazil, Mexico and the US.


About IDECO
IDECO Technologies is a wholly-owned subsidiary of a South African BEE company, IDECO Group Limited listed on the JSE. With a staff complement of one hundred, which includes highly skilled software and hardware engineers and project managers, the Group has extensive experience in handling large-scale projects such as the Back Record Conversion for the Department of Home Affairs, the Namibian Driving Licence Card bureau service and the outsourced Electronic Criminal Record Clearance Service on behalf of the South African Police Service. Ideco Technologies specialises in identity management solutions using biometric and smart card technologies.