Tapping into a bus, train, or scooter with the same credential is fast becoming the norm. But the next leap for mobility isn’t just about frictionless access—it’s about turning EMV credentials into platforms that connect every mode of urban travel.
The Thredd team
Tapping into a bus, train, or scooter with the same credential is fast becoming the norm. But the next leap for mobility isn’t just about frictionless access—it’s about turning EMV credentials into platforms that connect every mode of urban travel.
If you live in a city like London, tapping in with whatever’s already in your pocket feels entirely normal. That simplicity was intentional. As Nick Mackie, Founder at Vecture, explains:
“The objective really was very simple — it was to make access to public transport as easy as buying a coffee.”
The first wave of contactless acceptance changed the way people boarded buses, trains, and undergrounds. Riders no longer needed to queue for kiosks or load proprietary cards. Open-loop payments made access universal.
Now, the next phase is underway. The real unlock lies in transforming the card—or digital wallet token—from a ticket into a platform. By replatforming agency-issued credentials onto EMV, transit agencies can deliver a single, interoperable instrument that extends beyond buses and trains into micromobility, parking, EV charging, and even retail.
The result: lower costs, better rider experiences, and a smarter foundation for citywide mobility.
Many transport agencies still operate closed-loop systems: proprietary cards, reload kiosks, call centres, and physical issuance networks. These parallel ecosystems duplicate cost and complexity, while limiting flexibility.
Closed-loop cards often don’t work with other city services like bikes, scooters, or taxis. Updating infrastructure for each new transport mode adds friction and expense.
The temptation to upgrade to “closed-loop 2.0” is strong, but it misses the point. It modernises the technology without opening the ecosystem. Agencies end up maintaining the same cost-heavy issuance model instead of shifting focus to operations, ridership, and data-driven service delivery.
The future of urban mobility is one EMV-based credential that travels with the rider across the city.
A single tap grants access to bus, metro, and rail; unlocks a bike or scooter; pays for a taxi or car-share; and activates EV charging or parking. There’s no need for separate cards or stored-value pots.
This model is also more inclusive. Riders who prefer ring-fenced travel budgets—or who don’t use conventional credit or debit cards—can still access EMV credentials issued and funded by transit agencies. These can be provisioned digitally, funded with cash-in or transfer, and governed with capping and limits, ensuring equitable access.
With EMV and tokenisation, issuance becomes digital-first. Credentials can be provisioned directly to mobile wallets, keeping physical cards for edge cases only. Riders can manage activation, top-ups, refunds, and receipts in-app, with full visibility of journeys and charges.
“It’s about treating a fare credential not just as a ticket, but as a platform for how people move and interact with their city.”
The case for EMV-based mobility is compelling for both CFOs and Heads of Cards. The efficiencies are clear:
There’s also a revenue-side benefit. When agency-issued EMV credentials work across multiple contexts—micromobility, parking, EV charging, and selected retail—interchange can help offset programme costs.
At metropolitan scale, the economics become self-sustaining. Smaller agencies may need shared infrastructure or sponsor partnerships to reach breakeven, but the model’s trajectory is clear. As Nick noted:
“May this yield a scenario where a transit agency can operate completely cost-neutrally? I think the elements of it certainly can.”
Transit isn’t retail. Payment systems must balance inclusivity with fraud prevention. The right design blends real-time signals between AFC, issuer, and processor with payment-grade controls that fit post-tap models.
This model reduces write-offs while maintaining accessibility. It replaces prepayment dependency with dynamic, risk-aware authorisation that’s easier to tune in an EMV or tokenised environment.
One warning remains. If an EMV upgrade results in another closed, non-interoperable system, the opportunity is lost. The goal is not a better ticket—it’s a platform credential that scales across services, cities, and experiences.
Once open-loop EMV infrastructure is in place, cities can start layering value on top. AI-led planning, personalised rewards, and dynamic incentives can encourage sustainable travel, optimise load balancing, and even promote active transport on high air-quality days.
The payment object becomes programmable—and that changes everything.
The next phase of contactless isn’t just faster—it’s smarter. EMV-based credentials will unify how riders interact with their city, giving agencies a path to efficiency and sustainability.
Watch the full interview with Nick Mackie for the practical playbook behind EMV-based transit credentials—covering economics, risk, and the platform roadmap.
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