The City of Windhoek has expanded its cashless public transport system through the integration of Standard Bank’s PayPulse platform, enabling commuters to top up municipal bus cards directly from their mobile phones.
The new functionality allows passengers to load funds onto City of Windhoek bus cards via the PayPulse mobile application or USSD service, eliminating the need to visit physical top-up points and marking a further step in the city’s digital transport transformation.
The development builds on Windhoek’s transition to a fully cashless municipal bus system in August 2025, when the city introduced smart card payments across its public transport network.
Under the latest upgrade, commuters can register, manage and fund their travel accounts remotely using either smartphones or feature phones, broadening access to digital transport services.
According to the City of Windhoek’s Department of Urban and Transport Planning, the platform has been designed to support both internet-based and USSD transactions to ensure accessibility for users regardless of device type or internet connectivity.
“This new feature is a practical example of how digital innovation can improve everyday life. By enabling commuters to top up their City of Windhoek bus cards directly from their phones, we are not only supporting cashless travel but also expanding access to convenient financial services for more Namibians,” said Standard Bank Head of Digital and E-Commerce, Burger Smit.
The system allows users to enter their bus card details and complete transactions through a guided process on the PayPulse platform. Customers without smartphones can access the service through a dedicated USSD channel.
In addition to mobile channels, the service supports card top-ups at participating retail outlets, including Woermann Brock stores.
City officials said the integration forms part of broader efforts to modernise public transport services through digital technologies while improving convenience for commuters.
The municipality and Standard Bank have also launched awareness and training initiatives to support adoption of the platform and ensure users understand how to access the new functionality.
The latest development highlights the growing role of fintech solutions in urban mobility, as municipalities increasingly integrate digital payment technologies into public transport systems.
With the addition of remote mobile top-ups, Windhoek’s public transport network continues to evolve towards a more connected, cashless and digitally enabled commuter experience.
