Understanding the hottest mobility trends in North America

In our latest Q&A blog, we speak to Ralph Gambetta, General Secretary at Calypso Networks Association, about the needs of public transport users in North America. We also explore what the future looks like for ticketing in the region.

1. Tell us a bit about transport in North America. How did it evolve and what unique challenges does it have compared to other regions of the world?

North America was once considered a world leader in railroad infrastructure. Then, in the 1950s, a combination of affordable vehicles and government infrastructure projects, such as the Trans-Canada Highway Act of 1949 and the 1956 U.S. Federal-Aid Highway Act, ushered in a new era of car-centric low-density city planning.

In the decades since these Acts, many regions have remained car-centric, while a politically fragmented and ever-rotating cast of federal, state and local legislators has led to inconsistent support for either inner-city or inter-city transport. This has created the perception that North America has a less developed public transport ecosystem, due in large part to a lack of investment. 

This is exacerbated by complexities in the US and Canada around who owns the actual rail lines. Unlike in Europe, where tracks are primarily owned and operated by government bodies, in North America the vast majority are owned by rail operators. Unsurprisingly, the operator that owns the rails gives priority to their own trains. This has meant passenger rail travel is often a frustrating experience marred by routine delays, because an overwhelming majority of infrastructure owners are freight railroads.

However, with congestion rising, urban spaces becoming overwhelmed and the cost of private transport becoming increasingly inhibitive, demand is now growing for large-scale projects that crack the hegemony of the automobile.

2. What are these projects and how do they address the key challenges operators and authorities face in North America?

The most prominent projects across both Canada and the United States involve the construction of dedicated passenger high speed rail corridors. Many of these are funded by Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), where private companies contribute to public infrastructure in exchange for a share of future revenue or a long-term contract to operate services. This addresses the ownership challenge I mentioned, as these new lines will provide dedicated spaces for efficient passenger rail. 

In the ticketing space, some cities are making significant investments in replacing decades-old systems with proprietary Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) platforms. In New York, for example, the iconic yellow magstripe cards were discontinued as of 1 January 2026, in favour of the One Metro New York (OMNY) contactless system. While this system provides modern tap and go functionality, its dependence on card schemes means it has limited flexibility and transparency in its fare structures.

Other regions have taken a different approach, looking to develop more sustainable and inclusive systems that allow them to retain control over their operations, data and finances. Quebec has found success using its OPUS card, which uses Calypso Prime to enable users to remotely manage their funds. It also provides operators with powerful tools for data analytics, dynamic pricing, and integration with complementary mobility services. This allows them to meet modern passenger demands for mobility that goes beyond “out and back” commuter patterns, making public transport a more practical and affordable option for every facet of life.

3. What does the future of ticketing look like in North America?

It is undoubtedly digital. North America has one of the highest rates of smartphone penetration in the world, backed by outstanding internet connectivity. GSMA reports 319 million mobile internet users across North America, with 89% of these connections being 5G. The infrastructure is already in place, and the desire for mobile first solutions is strong, with NFC Forum reporting that 89% of North American respondents to its usage and adoption study were already using mobile payments to some degree.

Operators and authorities are responding to demand, deploying and enhancing their mobile offer.  Looking again to Québec, Montreal is investing CAD$146 million into the digital transformation of transit services. This is designed to give Québécois seamless travel, using tickets natively stored in their device – providing unparallelled user convenience.

We see in our own data how the appetite for digital-first solutions is being replicated worldwide: over 14 million Calypso mobile activations took place globally last year. 

But it’s critical to understand that digital-first cannot mean exclusively digital. Not everyone is willing or able to use a smartphone for their ticketing, and its vital they aren’t excluded from travel. Physical alternatives enable users to exercise their right to ride, regardless of technological literacy. They can also act as an important backup for digital first users in situations where internet connectivity is weak or if devices lose battery. 

4. What’s next for mobility in North America?

This current wave on investment is helping make significant strides towards enriched public transport experiences in North America.

Long term success will be judged by its ability to attract people away from private vehicle use. Decades of car-centric city planning will not be undone within a few years, so these early ventures into passenger-first infrastructure – including ticketing – must provide proof of concept. Investments must demonstrate that public transport can provide sustainable mobility, accessible to all and which alleviates the challenges brought by increased urbanism.

For public transport to become a truly viable alternative in North America, it must be more efficient, dependable, comfortable and trusted than private vehicles. Interoperable multimodal transport networks can give the same door-to-door convenience of private vehicles, at an affordable cost and without the pain of sitting in traffic jams or searching for parking spaces. 

Ticketing systems must meet user demand, providing passengers with reliable interoperability across mobility networks and across different consumer devices, operating systems and mobile networks. 

Implementers of Calypso benefit from trusted open standards: a platform of established security, technical performance and global interoperability. By building on standards, networks can develop ticketing solutions as an integral part of the infrastructure currently under construction, helping the present wave of investment grow into a public transport renaissance across North America.