Smart Ticketing in South America: 5 Key Takeaways from São Paulo’s Governance-Focused Conference

On 12–13 May 2025, leading mobility and public transport stakeholders gathered in São Paulo, Brazil, for Smart Ticketing: A Chave da Governança, a landmark event focused on smart ticketing in South America.

Co-hosted by the Calypso Networks Association and the Instituto de Engenharia, the conference explored best practices for ticketing governance, digital sovereignty, and building resilient, user-centric systems in public transport.

The Rise of Smart Ticketing in South America

Discussions throughout the event focused on essential values for effective mobility systems: openness, security, trust, interoperability, scalability, and data sovereignty. These pillars were framed as essential to modern smart ticketing solutions and the development of sustainable, inclusive urban mobility.

Representatives from cities like São Paulo and Mexico City shared real-world experiences from Latin America’s most ambitious ticketing projects. Calypso technology was presented as a key enabler for integrated and interoperable transport systems across various modes of transit.

5 Takeaways on Smart Ticketing Governance in South America

1. Standards Require Internal Expertise
   Adopting open standards means developing internal capacity. In-house technical experts are not a cost burden—they are a strategic investment in system resilience, enabling public entities to maintain control and reduce vendor dependency.

2. Data Sovereignty is Non-Negotiable
   Transport authorities must retain ownership of mobility data to improve planning and network efficiency. Giving up data to proprietary platforms weakens governance capacity.

3. Beware Vendor Lock-In
   While proprietary vendors may offer convenience, long-term reliance can lead to high costs and limited flexibility. Mexico City’s choice of open standards led to lower prices, supplier competition, and better system durability.

4. Inclusivity is Essential
   Smart ticketing must be accessible to everyone, including the unbanked and digitally excluded. Solutions must combine remote reloading with physical outlets—like convenience stores, local shops, and kiosks.

5. Smart Mobility Drives Sustainable Cities
   Integrated ticketing is key to promoting public transport as a true alternative to cars. A well-designed ticketing system directly supports urban development, sustainability, and economic resilience.

Leading Voices in Smart Ticketing

Speakers included representatives from SPTrans, Semovi-Mexico, Transportes Metropolitanos de Lisboa, Motiva Metro Bahia, ABIFER, ANTP, LOGIT, Planeta, and more—offering diverse insights into how South America is shaping the future of mobility.