A milestone year
It was our first time exhibiting at TTG since pre-Covid time and whilst we’ve been regular supporters and attended in recent years, the halls of Olympia London for Transport Ticketing Global 26 felt different. It wasn’t just about "what’s coming next" it was about how we implement what is here now. As a cornerstone of the UK’s ticketing infrastructure, the ITSO team was on the ground to discuss how we are evolving to meet the needs of the modern passenger. In discussions with local authorities, transport operators and suppliers both existing and new to ITSO, we moved beyond theory into the practicalities of managing massive transport estates and evolving standards to meet 2026 and beyond demands.
One of the highlights of the event was seeing ITSO suppliers showcasing their latest products, some of which were recently ITSO 2.1.5 certified, live on the show floor. Our latest Specification, 2.1.5, is a game-changer, offering enhanced security and better support for the digital, mobile-first ticketing solutions that passengers are demanding. Seeing these products ready for deployment gives us great confidence in the industry's future technical roadmap.
It was valuable to reconnect with established suppliers including TransMach Systems, S&B, Arrive, Vix, Unicard, Cubic, INIT, Worldline, and many more - as well as to engage more deeply with newer ITSO members such as Mikroelektronika.
While the technology on display was impressive, the real value was in the consensus: the industry is shifting from simply "selling tickets" to "enabling journeys" and the drive for national interoperability. A major theme this year was the move toward seamless, cross-operator travel. Passengers no longer want to worry about which company is running their bus or train - they want one card or device that works everywhere.
We spent much of the event discussing how the ITSO standard continues to be the "glue" that allows different operators and regions to work together securely. We saw a significant appetite for diversifying media types, with a clear push for low-cost media options that allow smaller operators or specific use cases (like tourism) to offer smart ticketing without a massive hardware barrier. Bridging the gap between traditional smartcards and mobile-first solutions is a challenge we are actively solving with our members.
From Policy to Practice: Nationwide Ticketing
Our CEO, Steve Holden, joined a panel alongside European partners from the Smart Ticketing Alliance (STA) to discuss “Nationwide Ticketing: From Policy to Practice.” The session explored the complexities of scaling smart ticketing across regions and borders. Steve shared insights on how the UK is navigating these challenges, underscoring that while policy sets the vision, success depends on robust technical standards and collaboration.
Expansion of Digital Ticketing
There was significant interest in Digital Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG), which allows passengers to travel without physical tickets or smartcards by using mobile wallets. This is particularly attractive for fragmented markets as it requires no upfront investment in field hardware like validators. Industry discussions at the event highlighted Yotra Ltd as a significant point of interest in this space, particularly for their ability to integrate these seamless payment flows with existing operator requirements and customer-facing apps.
Apple and Google Wallet Integration
A major technical breakthrough discussed was moving closed-loop credentials, such as traditional smartcards, directly into Apple and Google Wallets. This allows operators to maintain ecosystem ownership while giving passengers the convenience of a digital-native experience.
There is growing momentum around Yotra Ltd’s potential to support this transition, with several operators and suppliers looking toward Yotra to help facilitate the back-office integration needed to make "mobile-first" travel a reality.
More information can be found at https://www.yotra.co.uk/
Final Thoughts
Transport Ticketing Global 2026 proved that while technology is becoming more advanced, the goal is getting simpler: making public transport the easiest choice for everyone. As we look toward 2027, the ITSO standard remains the secure, interoperable foundation the industry needs.
We’ve booked our place for TTG 27. Have you?, looking forward to seeing you all there!
