The global smart ticketing market size is expected to reach USD 31.65 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 15.5% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. With the widespread adoption of smartphones, mobile ticketing channels have gained traction, allowing users to purchase, store, and validate tickets directly on their mobile devices, eliminating the need for physical cards or paper tickets. The convenience and ease of use offered by mobile ticketing have contributed to the growth of the market. Smart ticketing systems generate vast amounts of data on passenger journeys, travel patterns, and ticket usage.

Operators leverage this data to gain valuable insights, optimize operations, and improve the overall passenger experience. Data analytics techniques, such as predictive modeling and real-time monitoring, are being applied to enhance efficiency, manage capacity, and offer personalized services, which bode well for smart ticketing companies. Furthermore, smart ticketing systems contribute to sustainability goals by reducing paper waste and supporting efficient transportation planning. They enable the implementation of dynamic pricing strategies, incentivize off-peak travel, and encourage the use of public transportation, ultimately reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion.

The rising emphasis of various governments on sustainability in operations is expected to drive the demand for online ticketing systems. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased focus on innovation and digital transformation across all industries. The demand for contactless ticketing solutions has increased due to the pandemic as people prioritized hygiene and safety. Contactless smart cards, mobile ticketing applications, and Quick Response (QR) code-based ticketing systems have become popular, replacing traditional paper tickets and cash transactions.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Smart Ticketing Market

Detailed Segmentation:

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic had an immediate impact on the smart ticketing market. With lockdowns imposed globally and restricted mobility to and from work and other events, such as sports and entertainment, transportation operations had reached a standstill. However, digital adoption across industries surged as customers increasingly became aware of the latest technologies. As restrictions eased and people started returning to work and travel, the demand for efficient and contactless ticketing solutions and smart ticketing systems became crucial in managing and streamlining the passenger flow and enabling safer, more efficient ticketing processes.

Component Insights

The hardware segment dominated the market in 2022 and accounted for a revenue share of above 51.0%. The deployment of custom and readily available innovative hardware solutions enable transport operators to issue and read tickets via a single interface. The adoption of smart ticketing systems as a measure to transcend to a more digitally advanced ticketing infrastructure has been a driving factor for the growth of the hardware segment. Moreover, the need for upgrades to legacy transportation ticketing systems is expected to drive the growth of the hardware segment.

Product Insights

The E-ticket segment dominated the market in 2022 and accounted for a more than 25.0% revenue share. The pandemic outbreak resulted in a surge in contactless payments and services across industries, including the transportation industry. For instance, in May 2023, VIA Metropolitan Transit enabled riders to purchase tickets through the Uber application and other means, such as the VIA goMobile+application. E-ticketing systems provide users with flexibility in payments for ticket purchases across transportation modes.

System Insights

The smart card segment dominated the market in 2022 and accounted for a more than 47.0% revenue share. The benefits associated with using smart cards, such as durability, efficiency, and convenience in travel, are expected to drive its growing adoption over the forecast period. Trainline, a UK-based online coach and rail ticket seller, reported that local travelers saved as much as 69% in travel costs in 2022. Moreover, numerous countries, such as Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan, have multi-purpose smart cards that can also be used to purchase at retail stores and vending machines.

End-use Insights

The transportation segment dominated the market in 2022 and accounted for a more than 47.0% revenue share. Smart ticketing systems are safe, and agile, and help in automated fare collection & resource management. The benefits of a streamlined travel and ticketing system are leading to its rising incorporation by various transportation departments. For instance, in February 2023, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government partnered with NEC Corporation to build a next-generation ticketing solution.

Regional Insights

Europe dominated the market in 2022 and accounted for a more than 34.0% revenue share. The growing emphasis of the European Commission to develop intelligent transportation systems and tackle the region’s congestion and emission problems is a primary factor driving the demand for smart ticketing systems. In February 2023, the Multimodal Passenger Mobility Forum was established to assist the European Commission in drafting policy initiatives targeting multimodal mobility. Moreover, the presence of prominent players, such as Thales and Giesecke & Devrient GmbH, bode well for the regional market growth.

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Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Companies are adopting numerous strategies to gain a competitive advantage and drive growth. Several companies are focusing on partnering with other businesses to build innovative systems or acquiring startups or smaller firms to gain access to their expertise and customer base. This approach allows companies to expand their capabilities and offer more comprehensive solutions to their customers. Moreover, companies are also investing in research and development to innovate and differentiate their offerings.

Smart ticketing solution providers are leveraging participation in various exhibitions and conferences to showcase their offerings. For instance, in March 2023, Conduent, Inc., a smart mobility technology solutions provider, displayed its range of fare collection solutions at the Transport Ticketing Global Conference. As the world’s largest event related to public transport, the Transport Ticketing Global Conference gathered industry representatives and transport operators from over 70 countries. 

Some of the prominent players in the global smart ticketing market include:

• Confidex Ltd.

• CPI Card Group Inc.

• Cubic Corporation

• Thales

• Giesecke & Devrient GmbH

• HID Global Corporation (ASSA ABLOY)

• Infineon Technologies AG

• NXP Semiconductors

• IDEMIA

• Xerox Corporation

Smart Ticketing Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global smart ticketing market on the basis of component, product, system, end-use, and region:

Smart Ticketing Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

• Hardware

• Software

• Service

Smart Ticketing Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

• E-kiosk

• E-ticket

• E-toll

• Request Tracker

• Smart Parking System

• Ticket Machine

• Ticket Validators

• Others

Smart Ticketing System Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

• Open Payment System

• Smart Card

• Near-field Communication

Smart Ticketing End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

• Parking

• Sport & Entertainment

• Transportation

• Others

Smart Ticketing Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)

• North America

o U.S.

o Canada

• Europe

o U.K.

o Germany

o France

• Asia Pacific

o China

o Japan

o India

o South Korea

o Australia

• Latin America

o Brazil

o Mexico

• Middle East & Africa

o Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)

o UAE

o South Africa

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