The TAP Point of Sale (POS) Application is the staffed sales channel of TAP’s Automated Fare Collection (AFC) platform. It supports the controlled issuance, sale and management of fare products and related passenger transactions at authorized sales locations, including stations, terminals and ticket offices.
Developed in-house by TAP, the application gives sales staff a simple, structured interface for issuing tickets, recharging fare media and processing passenger transactions. Every transaction is tied to an authenticated operator and an operator shift, and is synchronized with the central AFC back office for monitoring, reporting and reconciliation.
The result is a point-of-sale channel that is easy to operate at the counter and fully accountable to the operator’s central revenue management.
Overview
A Complete Point-of-Sale Channel for Fare Collection
Eight core capabilities equip authorized sales locations to sell fare products and process passenger transactions, while giving the operator full visibility and control from the central AFC System.
- Fare product sales
- Transaction processing
- Operator authentication
- Shift-based operations
- Transaction history
- Sales reporting
- Reconciliation support
- Centralized synchronization
Shift Lifecycle
Six Stages of a Controlled Shift
Every POS shift follows the same sequence, so each sale is made by an identified operator and accounted for at the end of the shift.
- 01
Operator Sign-In
The operator is authenticated before the application can be used. Only authorized staff can access POS functions.
- 02
Shift Open
A shift is opened against the operator and the sales location, establishing the record to which every transaction will be attached.
- 03
Sales & Transactions
Fare products are sold, fare media is recharged and passenger transactions are processed, each recorded with the operator, location and time of sale.
- 04
Shift Close
The operator closes the shift, completing the record of all sales and transactions made during it.
- 05
Reconciliation
Shift sales are reconciled against the transactions held in the central AFC System, supporting revenue assurance.
- 06
Central Synchronization
Transaction data is synchronized with the AFC back office for monitoring, reporting and audit.
Transactions
Transactions Handled at the Counter
The POS Application supports three groups of staffed fare transactions, all priced and governed by the operator’s central fare configuration.
Fare Product Sales
Controlled issuance and sale of the operator's configured fare products, priced according to the central tariff.
- Ticket issuance, including QR tickets
- Single- and multi-journey products
- Products priced by the central tariff
Recharge & Account Services
Recharge of fare media and processing of passenger transactions on card-based and account-based fare media.
- Fare media recharge and top-up
- Stored-value transactions
- Passenger transaction processing
Authorized Operations
Other fare-related operations permitted by the operator's configuration, available only to authorized staff.
- Restricted to authorized operators
- Each action linked to operator and shift
- Full transaction history retained
Roles
Counter and Back Office, Working as One
Responsibilities are divided clearly between the POS Application at the sales location and the central AFC back office.
| Function | POS Application (Sales Location) | AFC Back Office (Central) |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Operator authentication at sign-in | Operator and sales location authorization |
| Fare products | Sale and issuance at the counter | Products and tariffs defined and managed |
| Transactions | Recorded at the point of sale | Synchronized, stored and monitored |
| Shifts | Opened and closed by the operator | Shift records held for reconciliation |
| Reconciliation | Shift sales summarized at close | Reconciled against the central record |
| Reporting | Local transaction history | Sales by location, operator, shift and product |
Operational Detail
How the POS Application Operates
Key operational points for transport authorities and operators evaluating the application
How are operators authenticated?
Each operator signs in before using the application. Only authenticated operators can open a shift and carry out sales, and every transaction is recorded against the operator who performed it.
What does a shift record contain?
A shift record links the operator, the sales location, the shift start and close, the sales made by fare product, and the count and value of transactions. It forms the basis for reconciliation at the end of the shift.
How are POS transactions reconciled?
At shift close, the sales recorded during the shift are reconciled against the transactions held in the central AFC System, supporting revenue assurance and financial oversight.
How does POS data reach the central system?
POS transactions are synchronized with the central AFC back office, so counter sales form part of the same transaction record as validations and other fare channels across the network.
Which reports are available?
Reports draw on centrally synchronized POS data and include daily sales, shift summaries, sales by fare product, location and operator, transaction history, reconciliation reports and revenue summaries.
Key Benefits
Simple at the Counter. Controlled at the Center.
Controlled
Fare products issued only by authenticated operators.
Accountable
Every transaction linked to an operator, shift and location.
Simple
A structured interface designed for sales staff.
Centralized
POS activity synchronized with the AFC back office.
Reconciled
Shift sales reconciled against central records.
Related
Works Together With
Hardware & Software
Management
Software Development & Customization
Fare products and reports configured to each operator.
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