It was a week of firsts for us at Innovatious last week. Although our directors have been going to TTG for “donkey’s years” (their words!), it was also the first time we’ve had our own stand as Innovatious Ltd. As a Junior Consultant, it was also my first ever TTG Conference. It was nice to put faces to names, and see some faces transcend the realm of Microsoft teams into the real world!
I’m very new to the world of smart ticketing – and what a small and friendly world it is! It was great to see so many people, some seasoned industry veterans as well as some bright-eyed innovators, visit our stand and have a chat with us. Although the home-made cakes undoubtedly helped to draw in visitors, our stand was buzzing throughout the two days with conversation about the industry – from technical chats to catch-ups with clients old and new. It was great to be able to introduce myself to new people as part of such a well-known and experienced team of individuals.
The conference wasn’t just a showcase of existing technologies; it was a platform for industry experts from all over the world (65 countries!) to speak about their specialism within the world of smart ticketing and facilitate some very lively panel discussions. With everything to learn, I tried to attend as many expert talks as possible. Here are some of my take-aways from these talks:
- Fraud Prevention: Technology, regulation, and public awareness are crucial in combating fare evasion and fraud. Angela Gibson from the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) shared insights into “Dealing with Fare Evasion in a Canadian Context,” focusing on innovative enforcement strategies and leveraging technology for efficient fare inspection. I was impressed by her ‘human’ approach revenue protection and her emphasis on treating fare-dodgers on a case-by-case basis.
- Partnerships and Collaboration: Strategic partnerships between operators and suppliers are vital for driving payment innovation.
- Dynamic pricing: I was particularly interested in Natascha Hooft’s (SNCB) talk on “Implementing a dynamic pricing approach on the Brussels-Amsterdam connection,” showcasing how dynamic pricing can optimise performance and improve passenger services.
- Seamless Multimodal travel: using smart ticketing to integrate different modes of travel seemed like a hot topic, driven by customer demand. Experts debated the role of QR codes, virtualized cards, and mobile apps in achieving this goal – no doubt there are many more discussions to be had on how best to implement ticketing across modes.
The TTG Smart Ticketing Conference provided a valuable platform for me to learn from industry professionals, to hear the exchange of ideas and consider the future of ticketing. With a focus on innovation, accessibility, and sustainability, the event highlighted the critical role of smart ticketing in shaping the future of urban mobility. It was great to be a part of and I look forward to seeing everyone at TTG 2026! (Although I must say, transporting 100 cakes 200 miles by public transport is a challenge I’m reluctant to repeat!)