The Urban Mobility Open Payments Forum continues journey to keep cities moving: online resource platform launches

In July 2021, UITP was proud to launch the Urban Mobility Open Payments Forum, an initiative advancing the adoption of open loop payment systems in public transport across the globe.

Together with lead partner Visa, the Forum wants to help cities create efficient, inclusive, and sustainable door-to-door travel experiences, enabled by simple, convenient, and secure open loop payments systems.

The launch of the Forum followed calls from the transport sector to create a clearer framework for engaging in a more open dialogue at an international level on open loop payments in public transport. The Forum provides a platform to all relevant stakeholders, including payment systems, industry partners, public transport operators and authorities.

Alongside Visa, UITP is proud to already gather around the table industry players American Express, Scheidt & Bachmann, Thales, Flowbird, Indra, Google Pay, Fime and Switchio. Together, they will help pave the way for a world in which paying for public transport at home is as familiar and compelling as it is when visiting a city abroad.

Since its launch, the Forum has already launched a series of initiatives, including a complete training programme on open loop ticketing, to advance the sector’s understanding on the topic, in particular public transport operators and authorities.

Now, to provide a central platform for the sector and industry on all things open loop ticketing, the Forum has launched its website.

Alongside background on the Forum and its partners, the new website wants to be a one-stop shop on all things open loop ticketing, including case studies, publications, podcasts, and more. Find out how Vancouver introduced Tap to Pay in the city’s public transport network, or how Ostrava was the first city in the Czech Republic to introduce contactless payment.

Check out the new website

Early May, IT-TRANS 2022 will explore the golden ticket to seamless passenger experience through numerous sessions on payment and ticketing, and experts from the Forum will also be present! Meet them at the following sessions:

Ask the Expert: Everything you always wanted to know about open loop ticketing

Looking to combine lunching with learning? Join experts from the Urban Mobility Open Payments Forum at the UITP stand to ask them about all things open loop payment, accepting payment cards, account-based ticketing, and more.

Forum members, including Visa, American Express, Google Pay and various tech partners, will be happy to see you for a coffee and answer all your burning questions!

11 May, 13.00-14.00

Changing the landscape with Open Loop Payments

Public transport operators and authorities were already shifting towards contactless payment systems, but with the pandemic, this has now accelerated new adoptions in contactless, mobile ticketing and open loop systems. Open loop payment allows passengers using any payment card or app to pay for their journey without having to register in advance.

This workshop will invite panelists from the Forum to the stage, including Stephen Cooles, Global Transit Communications & Planning Director at Visa, Jonathan Hill, Head of Transit Partnerships at Google Pay, and American Express’ Senior Product Manager Annette Street. They will highlight benefits and challenges of open loop payments along with lessons from different cities.

11 May 15.30 – 16.30

The Urban Mobility Open Payments Forum is actively looking for new members to broaden the discussions on open loop payment in public transport.  To get involved, please contact Andrea Soehnchen at UITP.

Read our official press release