Smart Payment Method Evaluation for a Cash-Based Paratransit System

A paratransit system is a public transportation mode, commonly operated by private transportation enterprises. In many countries, minibuses are considered paratransit systems and are often criticized for their inability to integrate with smart fare payment systems. Their revenue model is competitive, so it creates security vulnerabilities, and their sustainable service quality, which lags behind other modes of transport in terms of driving characteristics and transport system integration, is a significant disadvantage that sets minibuses apart from other modes of transport. However, given society’s usage habits, minibuses emerge as an indispensable mode of mobility, especially in certain areas and for specific individuals. This situation shows that minibuses need to be made infrastructure-compatible and controllable. This study examines the applicability of smart fare payment systems in minibuses using a multi-criteria evaluation framework. And it considers economic, technological, operational, and legal criteria holistically. Within the scope of the study, a pilot application was evaluated using AHP and TOPSIS techniques, comparing the cash-based structure with the option of using a smart fare payment system from the operators’ perspective. Thus, the system’s transformation potential was analytically assessed. The findings indicate that adopting a smart fare payment infrastructure is perceived to improve sustainable service quality, strengthen control mechanisms, and support revenue transparency.