The global smart ticketing market size was valued at USD 10.14 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.5% from 2023 to 2030. The primary factor leading to the growth in adopting smart ticketing solutions is the increasing incorporation of emerging technologies. The introduction of innovative means for purchasing and paying for tickets, such as contactless payment systems, virtual tickets (E-tickets), and smart cards, enables smooth and efficient transit. In addition, the availability of multi-modal disbursement channels through online ticketing systems, smartphones, E-kiosks, and smart ticketing machines is supplementing effective crowd management and making smart ticketing systems preferable over traditional paper-based ticketing systems.
Moreover, changing customer preferences for digital channels to access transport services is driving market growth. Various benefits in the form of reduced waiting time compared to waiting in queues during peak hours, subsidized fares, real-time route updates, and a personalized mobility experience make a strong appeal among customers for online ticketing systems. Moreover, the advantages of smart ticketing solutions for transport operators include reduced maintenance costs, access to an integrated ticketing infrastructure, and cost-effective use of resources, such as employees, energy, and paper. Thus, the use of smart ticketing systems is expected to rise over the forecast period contributing to the growth of the overall market.
In addition to its application in transportation operations, smart ticketing solutions are also gaining traction to meet ticketing needs in the sporting and entertainment industry. Smart ticketing systems allow scalability when integrated with point-of-sale and self-service kiosks. Smart ticketing systems also provide real-time customer data and improve customer engagement and experience. For instance, in March 2023, Major League Soccer (MLS) selected Ticketmaster as its official ticketing partner through a multi-year agreement seeking to personalize the entire customer experience using next-generation interactive tools, such as 3D stadium views. The ability to leverage technology to connect to various smart & connected devices and provide a unified experience is also driving the market growth.
For instance, in September 2021, a French fairground known as Fabrikus World delegated the digital transformation of its theme park to CONNECT&GO, a global leader in Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). CONNECT&GO would help build an omnichannel ticketing platform, including online, physical ticketing offices, and cashless payments. The partnership also helped Fabrikus World launch its currency, Fabcoin, which would be available on chip cards. Data security concerns are one of the restraints hindering market growth. Smart ticketing systems are open-loop and typically require users to provide personal information, such as their name, contact details, and payment information. They also inherit risks of such data being accessed or misused if the system’s security measures need to be improved. Companies are upgrading to use technology, such as blockchain, to overcome these restraints.
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.
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.
The service segment is anticipated to register significant growth over the forecast period. A comprehensive and straightforward ticketing system is essential to promote the use of public transportation systems. Smart ticketing companies increasingly emphasize supporting the integration and deployment services for the convenient use of smart ticketing systems. An illustration of a prominent service provided by smart ticketing companies is Mobility as a Service (MaaS), which enables end-to-end booking and payments.
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.
The smart parking system segment is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period. Rising emphasis on building smart cities and improving the reliability and productivity of urban infrastructure is expected to drive the smart parking segment growth. Smart ticketing solutions are being introduced for efficient traffic and parking management. For instance, in March 2023, Mobile Smart City installed pay-in-lane contactless equipment for entry and exit access control.
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.
The near-field communication segment is anticipated to grow significantly over the forecast period. Near-field communication systems have proved vital in providing a frictionless ticketing experience. In addition, near-field communication transactions can be validated in 120 milliseconds. Innovative payment methods, such as tap-and-go through Quick Response (QR) codes, debit, and credit cards, have increased customer convenience in conducting many transactions, which are expected to bode well for market growth.
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.
The sport & entertainment segment is anticipated to grow fastest over the forecast period. The segment growth can be attributed to sporting stadiums and entertainment venues incorporating contactless ticketing systems. The latest technology, blockchain, is also being leveraged to make smart ticketing more efficient and secure. For instance, France is considering implementing a blockchain-based, Non-fungible Token ticketing system for the Olympic Games in 2024.
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.
Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as the fastest-growing regional market over the forecast period. The adoption of smart ticketing solutions is expected to rise in the Asia Pacific region due to the presence of highly populated countries, such as China and India. Growing regional digitization is also expected to bode well for the growth of the market. For instance, in April 2023, China launched a train ticketing system that integrates various ticket-selling platforms from over 140 nations into a unified mobile application.
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
Report Attribute |
Details |
Market size value in 2023 |
USD 11.57 billion |
Revenue forecast in 2030 |
USD 31.65 billion |
Growth rate |
CAGR of 15.5% from 2023 to 2030 |
Base year of estimation |
2022 |
Historical data |
2017 - 2021 |
Forecast period |
2023 - 2030 |
Report updated |
May 2023 |
Quantitative units |
Revenue in USD million/billion, and CAGR from 2023 to 2030 |
Report coverage |
Revenue forecast, company market share, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
Segments covered |
Component, product, system, end-use, region |
Regional scope |
North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Latin America; MEA |
Country scope |
U.S.; Canada; U.K.; Germany; France; China; Japan; India; South Korea; Australia; Brazil; Mexico; Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA); UAE; South Africa |
Key companies profiled |
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 |
Customization scope |
Free report customization (equivalent to up to 8 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope |
Pricing and purchase options |
Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase options |
This report forecasts revenue growth and provides an analysis of the latest trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this report, Grand View Research has segmented the global smart ticketing market report based on component, product, system, end-use, and region:
Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)
Hardware
Software
Service
Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)
E-kiosk
E-ticket
E-toll
Request Tracker
Smart Parking System
Ticket Machine
Ticket Validators
Others
System Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)
Open Payment System
Smart Card
Near-field Communication
End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)
Parking
Sport & Entertainment
Transportation
Others
Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2017 - 2030)
North America
U.S.
Canada
Europe
U.K.
Germany
France
Asia Pacific
China
Japan
India
South Korea
Australia
Latin America
Brazil
Mexico
Middle East & Africa
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
UAE
South Africa
b. The global smart ticketing market size was estimated at USD 10.14 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 11.57 billion in 2023.
b. The global smart ticketing market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 15.5% from 2023 to 2030 to reach USD 31.65 billion by 2030.
b. Europe dominated the smart ticketing market with a share of 34.97% in 2022. This is attributable to the presence of prominent market players such as Giesecke & Devrient GmbH, Gemalto NV, and Infineon Technologies AG in the region.
b. Some key players operating in the 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; and Xerox Corporation.
b. Key factors that are driving the smart ticketing market growth include increased adoption of advanced technologies in smart ticketing systems and increasing demand for smart ticketing from the tourism and sports & entertainment industries.
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