SINGAPORE, March 25, 2025 – As public transport systems worldwide continue to evolve, a new report from HID highlights the critical challenges and priorities facing mass transit agencies in 2025. The State of Mass Transit Ticketing Hardware Report 2025, based on a survey of 102 transit providers globally, sheds light on how agencies are navigating technological change to improve passenger experiences and streamline fare collection.
The report underscores a pressing need for digital transformation, with agencies increasingly looking to reduce their reliance on cash, expand mobile and contactless payments, and implement open-architecture solutions. However, funding constraints remain the biggest obstacle, limiting the pace of progress.
Five Key Priorities for 2025
1. Moving Away from Cash Payments
Many transit agencies are prioritising the shift to contactless systems, aiming to enhance efficiency and security. According to the report, 43% of agencies plan to introduce contactless ticketing, with 88% targeting full deployment within the next 12 to 24 months.
2. Faster, More Convenient Passenger Experiences
A smooth, user-friendly ticketing experience is now a top priority for transit agencies. Nearly two-thirds of respondents highlighted user-friendly interfaces as the most crucial feature in their ticketing hardware, reflecting growing demand for seamless transactions.
3. Expanding Mobile and Contactless Payment Options
The demand for mobile and contactless payment solutions continues to rise. Open-loop EMV contactless systems remain a major focus, with 43% of agencies planning implementation within the next five years. Europe leads the way, with 86% of its transit agencies already offering app-based ticketing solutions, compared to 58% globally.
4. Smarter Data Collection for Strategic Decision-Making
With ridership patterns constantly shifting, detailed data collection has become essential. Over half of transit agencies surveyed said they will prioritise single ticketing interfaces capable of reading multiple ticket types while also collecting valuable passenger data.
5. Moving Towards Open-Architecture Systems
The industry’s reliance on proprietary ticketing technology is proving to be a challenge, particularly in Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region. Around 40% of agencies are prioritising the adoption of open-architecture solutions, which offer more flexibility and adaptability as technology evolves.
A Passenger-Centric Future
The report highlights a clear trend: mass transit ticketing is shifting towards a more passenger-focused approach, driven by advances in technology. As agencies seek to modernise their fare collection systems, selecting the right partners and hardware solutions will be key to ensuring a smooth transition.