Which city has the best public transport?

Imededdine HOSNI - Lead Product Manager – Transport & Mobility - Worldline MeTS

Imed discusses his passion for mobility, the impact of open payment systems, and the importance of reliable public transport solutions.

What inspired you to work in mobility and public transport at Worldline??

I have always valued jobs where I can assist others through my work and see the benefits in their everyday lives. I believe that mobility, and public transport in particular, is one of those areas where we can make a real difference by connecting individuals to their friends, families, work, or leisure activities. It enables them to seize new opportunities and contributes to their self-fulfilment. Additionally, public transport plays a crucial role in protecting the environment.?

? In your opinion, what's the most exciting recent development in transport?

I would highlight an example from transport payments, which is the area I specialise in. It is remarkable how, in just a few years, we have transitioned from using dedicated (paper/plastic) tickets issued by transit networks to travelling with anything we have in our pockets—such as a bank card or a smartphone. This empowers individuals to conveniently pay for their travel across various modes of public transportation. Soon, for those who wish, we will have the capability to travel using our own identities, as systems will automatically recognise us through biometrics, Bluetooth, etc., and charge us the correct fare without the need to purchase a ticket. Some may call it magic; we call it technology. I am genuinely pleased to contribute to this change through my work.

?? What is the transport industry doing well? And what could it be doing better?

?The incorporation of Open Payment as a payment option for travellers has undoubtedly been a major game-changer. London was the first to implement this back in 2012, and since then, hundreds of cities have either already adopted it or are planning to do so. Adoption rates demonstrate that customers appreciate this technology, as it eliminates the need to worry about what ticket to buy and where to purchase it. The beauty of this system is its flexibility; it accommodates everything from a limited selection of buses to nationwide implementations. It can be as simple as a single payment per tap or as sophisticated as managing dynamic pricing, capping, concessions, and end-of-day payments for the entire journey. Open payment is now an integral part of the transport payments landscape and one of the market standards that every modern ticketing system must support.

?An area for improvement is definitely the interoperability between providers, especially when compared to other industries, such as retail. For instance, interoperability between several Open Payment back offices remains challenging due to the lack of widely adopted standards that would ensure smooth implementations. However, several initiatives are emerging to address this issue, and workgroups—including industry players like Worldline—are drafting joint specifications to facilitate better integrations between different technical solutions.

?? What role do you see technology playing in improving the customer experience for transport and mobility in the near future?

?Technology acts as a mobility companion for customers. It enables them to find their itinerary, book and pay for their journeys, and keeps them informed throughout their travel until they reach their destination. As we move forward, the primary challenge is maintaining an intuitive and convenient customer experience—whether it involves a single bus trip or a multimodal journey that includes various means of transport, different types of tickets, and potential service disruptions along the way. This is where mobility solutions come into play.

?? Can you share a personal anecdote about a memorable public transport experience that made you appreciate the importance of convenient and reliable transportation?

?A few years ago, I visited Dublin as a tourist with a group of friends. When we boarded the bus to reach our guided tour departure point, the bus driver informed us that cash was not accepted, nor were contactless payments. Only Leap smart cards could be used, which were not available for purchase on the bus either. We had to disembark, race to the nearest retail store, buy Leap cards, and top them up, then return to the station, crossing our fingers that the next bus would arrive in time for us not to miss our guided tour. Fortunately, we didn’t miss it, but that day, I thought: removing cash from the bus is a positive step, but it should not happen before providing alternative solutions for occasional travellers—much like we were at the time. ??

?? What’s your favourite mode of public transport and why?

?I prefer the tramway; I love it because it seems to glide peacefully along the ground. You can sit, read a book, relax, and enjoy watching the surroundings as the tram moves through the city.

?? What city do you think has the best public transport and why?

?If I say Lyon, some may think I’m biased as Worldline provides the multi-modal Open Payment system there. However, I genuinely believe it’s one of the best in terms of public transport, allowing easy navigation across the entire city and beyond with bus, tram, metro, and funicular services. Another city I would mention is Stockholm, known for its beautifully artistic metro stations in addition to its seamless transportation experience.

?? If you could offer one piece of advice to public transport operators and customers, what would it be, based on your expertise in the field?

?For operators (and authorities): Keep tariffs as simple as possible. This will increase trust in the system and reduce maintenance costs.

?For users: Choose public transport over your personal car whenever you can! It will save you money and help protect our planet. ??