Visa and Planeta Informatica have agreed to launch a platform called Visa Secure Access Module, which allows public transit systems to convert to contactless payments faster than previously possible. The companies are deploying the platform in April on the Metro Rio system in Rio de Janeiro, according to a company release.

The companies said the new technology allows conversion of public transit systems to contactless cards, wearables and other systems without the need to replace turnstile systems or make other costly repairs or changes to existing terminal hardware.

The Visa SAM system uses existing EMV technology to allow placement of the system into existing systems, saving significant time and money.

“This is a transformational development for public transit operators who want to improve their customer journeys and improve their operational costs by removing the need for tickets or topping up fare cards,” Nick Mackie, global head of urban mobility at Visa, said in the announcement.

Planeta Informatica CEO Artur Costa said the agreement combines 15 years of the company's experience working with public transit systems with the Visa Mass Transit Transaction framework released in 2017.

In a Visa study on mass transit and payment technologies, commuters said their use of mass transit would increase 27 percent if the payment method were changed.