Paris adds NFC transit: Apple Pay transit support widely expanding in 2024
Apple users travelling on public transport services in the greater Paris region will be able to store a digital version of their Navigo transit card on their iPhone or Apple Watch, as well as purchase tickets and passes and validate them using their Apple device, “by 2024”, according to a tweet posted by the Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM) transit authority. paris nfc transit apple pay
To date, IDFM’s NFC mobile ticketing service has been available on compatible Samsung and Orange Android NFC smartphones only, although IDFM has now also confirmed that it will be implementing plans revealed in 2019 to add a cloud-based host card emulation (HCE) solution that will enable all Android NFC phone users to store tickets and passes on their mobile device during 2022, according to local media reports.
Île-de-France Mobilités valide le développement du service de validation des titres de transport et forfaits via les smartphones Apple pour un lancement commercial d’ici 2024. pic.twitter.com/rfYCusopdT
— IDF Mobilités (@IDFmobilites) February 17, 2022
Some local reports have also suggested that IDFM is rolling out open-loop fare payment options, but a transit authority official has subsequently stated that it has no plans to do so.
The addition of support for Apple devices is expected to begin with a pilot later this year, followed by a full rollout beginning in 2023.
“A test phase will take place this year with compatible iPhones and Apple Watches. These devices can replace the plastic cards distributed by IDFM, such as the Navigo pass,” iGeneration reports.
By 2024, all transport tickets can be purchased with Apple Pay and integrated into the Apple Wallet APP. Validation at gates, iGeneration explains, will be done by NFC and will support Apple’s Express Transit card function.
“We cannot give a precise date yet, because it depends on the progress of the developments carried out by Apple in Cupertino. But this time, for sure, it will happen,” IDFM general manager Laurent Probst told Le Parisien newspaper. paris nfc transit apple pay
