EANS-News: Hoeft & Wessel sets e-Ticketing standard in South Africa

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely
responsible for the content of this announcement.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Research & Development

Subtitle: - SmartCard Muvo card with EMV contactless presented in
Durban - Key milestone for Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network

Hannover/Germany, 15/11/2011. (euro adhoc) - Hoeft & Wessel AG,
together with the Standard Bank and the National Department of
Transport in South Africa, realises trailblazing e-Ticketing solution
based on the EMV contactless system. Within the scope of the
Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN), the intermodal
system will initially be introduced amongst bus operators in
metropolitan Durban. In future, passengers throughout South Africa
are to be able to use this e-Ticketing standard. In doing so, the
state at the southernmost tip of the African continent plans to
introduce one of the world´s most modern payment systems for
passenger transportation.

The presentation of the SmartCard "Muvo card" in Durban is an
important milestone for the IRPTN project throughout the country. The
first SmartCards will be issued starting in February 2012. Buses
will simultaneously be equipped with on-board computers and
integrated Almex ticket printers from Hoeft & Wessel. In total, more
than 600 on-board computers of the type almex.optima have already
been delivered. In the opinion of Thomas Wolf, member of the Board of
Management of Hoeft & Wessel AG, the project delivers proof of the
high-tech expertise of this IT specialist: "We are honoured by the
trust and confidence of our South African customers. It shows once
again that we, as a German SME, are also able to set standards on an
international scale as far as technology and quality are concerned."

Muvo and the IRPTN use the EMV contactless payment functionality for
the SmartCard. The card is issued by MasterCard and provides a
contactless payment function known as PayPass. This also makes the
system suitable for contactless credit cards from the outset for
passengers travelling on buses. The Muvo card is topped up like an
electronic wallet or purse at special recharge terminals. Next, all a
passenger needs to do is hold up the card in front of the scanning
device, and his or her ticket is immediately registered and paid.

Not only does the eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) of the
metropolitan region around Durban make commuting with Muvo attractive
by introducing innovative payment methods; it also results in the
creation of a dense network of ticket points of sale, intensive
public relations work and advisory services to passengers on site by
service personnel such as the Muvo card ambassadors.

In doing so, the ETA wants to position Durban as the world´s leading
location for modern e-Ticketing solutions. "Durban joins a number of
other cities around the world that are using automatic fare payment
systems, such as Curitiba, Singapore and Bogota. We are proud to see
our city ranking among major cities around the world in this
initiative," explains ETA Head Thami Manyathi.

Media section with photos:
http://www.presseportal.de/pm/12945/hoeft_wessel_ag/

The Company The Hoeft & Wessel Group is the leading IT hardware and
software technology specialist for ticketing, parking and mobile
solutions in Germany and the United Kingdom. Established in 1978 by
the two entrepreneurs who gave the company its name and listed on the
stock market since 1998, the enterprise has grown into a group of
companies generating sales of just under EUR 100 million and
employing a workforce of 500 employees. Its main locations are
Hannover and Swindon, west of London.

Further inquiry note:
Arnd Fritzemeier
Tel.: +49-511-6102-300
E-Mail: PR@hoeft-wessel.com

end of announcement euro adhoc
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

company: Höft & Wessel AG
Rotenburger Str. 20
D-30659 Hannover
phone: +49-511-6102-0
FAX: +49-511-6102-411
mail: ir@hoeft-wessel.com
WWW: http://www.hoeft-wessel.com
sector: Technology
ISIN: DE0006011000
indexes: Prime All Share, Technology All Share
stockmarkets: regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, free trade: Berlin,
Hamburg, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Hannover, München
language: English