| A citizen touches a transportation card to a card reader, installed by LG CNS, in buses in Bogota, Columbia. LG CNS installed the automatic fare collection system for the bus system in Bogota in 2013. / Courtesy of LG CNS |
By Bahk Eun-ji
LG CNS is aggressively seeking inroads into Latin America based on the successful introduction of an e-ticket system in Bogota, Colombia.
Company chief executive Kim Dae-hoon attended a Korea-Colombia business forum Saturday to discuss cooperation in the information and communication technology (ICT) industry with the country.
In a speech, Colombia's President, Juan Manuel Santos, said Korea's ICT technology had greatly improved Bogota's transport system. In response, Korean President Park Geun-hye said Korea and Latin America had to develop a partnership in the ICT industry, including in transport infrastructure.
LG CNS announced the "Korea-Colombia ICT cooperation plan" on the day, suggesting the introduction of Korea's e-Government system to Colombia.
LG CNS installed the automatic fare collection system for Seoul's bus and subway system in 2004. The company won the 320 billion won Bogota contract to install a fare collection system in 2011, and a contract for ICT education business in 2013.
The e-ticket system has 26 terminals at present and covers 7,700 buses. The company said the system would have 151 terminals and cover 12,000 buses within a year. Buses in Bogota have a GPS system so the government can collect data that is used to improve timetables.
"LG CNS has secured a leading role in the IT service industry," Kim said. "With the responsibility as a leading company, we will strengthen the partnership with Latin American countries including Chile, Brazil, Peru and Mexico."