transportation in developing countries, including Uganda, continues to rely heavily on manual cash-based fare collection methods. These systems are prone to inefficiencies such as delays during boarding, revenue leakage, lack of transparency, and hygiene risks from physical cash handling. This study proposes FareFlow, a smart RFID-based bus fare payment system that leverages Internet of Things (IoT) devices and cloud computing to address these challenges while contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure, and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities). The system integrates an RC522 RFID reader with a NodeMCU ESP8266 microcontroller to enable contactless passenger identification and fare deduction. A GPS module provides real-time bus tracking, while cloud services based on Firebase Firestore and an Express.js backend manage user accounts, balances, and transaction logs.
FareFlow also features web-based applications for three stakeholder groups: passengers, bus operators, and administrators. Passengers can view balances, monitor transaction history, and receive SMS/email alerts. Operators gain real-time visibility of fare activities on their routes, while administrators access centralized dashboards for system oversight, card registration, and revenue analysis. Prototype implementation and functional testing confirmed the system’s reliability, with transactions processed in under 1.4 seconds and real-time updates synchronized across the cloud. Results demonstrate improvements in efficiency, accountability, and user convenience. By enhancing operational transparency, reducing cash dependency, and enabling digital infrastructure for public transport, FareFlow illustrates how IoT and cloud technologies can support sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban mobility in Uganda and similar contexts.
May 4, 2025
Edition: Vol. 1, Issue 1
