Skift Take
Public transit is one of the few modes of transportation that doesn’t offer mobile ticketing given the price tag on renovating an entire city’s tech infrastructure; however, riders footing the bill via price hikes opens one door for development.
Public transit riders have spoken, and they’re expecting technology to make ticketing easier, reduce delays, and improve communication from transit authorities. And most of them are even willing to pay higher ticket prices for the privilege.
In a survey conducted by the consulting firm Accenture, over 4,500 transit users in nine major cities overwhelmingly said that they expect such technological advances as paperless ticketing, communication about delays through social media, and the ability to pay for travel using a smartphone app.
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Photo credit: A Metrocard is New Yorkers' key to the public subway and buses. Guian Bolisay / Flickr