The international public transport association UITP has teamed up with Visa and what it cals other key players from the industry launched the new Urban Mobility Open Payments Forum.

The Forum aims to advance adoption of open loop payment systems in public transport across the globe and help cities create efficient, inclusive, and sustainable door-to-door travel experiences, enabled by simple, convenient, and secure open loop payments systems.

Open loop means any eligible payment method can be used without having to be part of the system itself – something Londoners will be familiar with thanks to the contactless payment system that has been available for many years on the tube and bus network. It means a passenger can use their existing contactless card to pay for a trip, without having to buy a specific smart card or download an app.

UITP says the launch of the Urban Mobility Open Payments Forum follows calls from the transportation sector to create a clearer framework for engaging in a more open dialogue at an international level on open loop payments in public transport.

It says together UITP, Visa, American Express and Scheidt & Bachmann, 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.

(Picture – Yay Images)