The Essential Public Transport Glossary

With digital transformation and innovations such as mobile ticketing, direct access with payment cards, and new mobility options, a new language is emerging...

As an emerging & disruptive player in physical and digital ticketing solutions, we integrate this language into our offerings and on our website. We present our version of the glossary to help you navigate more easily in this new ecosystem. 

Ticketing & payments  

• Account Based Ticketing (ABT): A ticketing system where purchases and journeys are linked to a unique user account. The passenger becomes a recognised customer by the network, benefiting from enhanced services, while the network gains deeper insights into user needs.
• Mobile Ticketing: The purchase and validation of transport tickets directly via a smartphone. Example: SNCF Connect app.
• BSC (Contactless Ticket): A paper ticket embedded with contactless technology (paper version of a contactless card).
• Card Based Ticketing* (CBT): A ticketing system where all travel rights are stored on the contactless card itself, along with associated security, rather than in a user account. *Also known as Card Centric as opposed to ABT.
• Direct Payment: Instant payment on a validator using a contactless bank card – immediate billing.
• Open Payment: Deferred payment using a contactless bank card – post-journey billing at the best available fare (if enabled by the network), based on completed trips.
• Tap & Pay: A solution allowing public transport users to simply access services by paying with their contactless bank card or banking app on their smartphone. (Combines both direct and open payment methods).
• Validator: A device used to validate transport tickets for onboard payments. New-generation validators support payments via QR tickets, contactless tickets, bank cards, and smartphones, and are connected to the back office. 

Technologies et transport systems 

• API (Application Programming Interface): An interface that facilitates data exchange between applications. Example: connecting a transport app to Google Maps.
• Back Office: A management interface for handling orders, fares, and data.
• GTFS (General Transit Feed Specification): A standardized format for sharing public transport schedules and route information.
• HCE (Host Card Emulation) : An application that simulates a card on a smartphone, enabling contactless ticket purchases and validation without using the phone’s embedded chip (commonly used on Android devices, except Samsung).
• PDC (Portable Control Device) & PDV (Portable Validation Device): Handheld devices used for ticket inspection and validation.
• SAE (Operating Assistance System): A real-time management system for transport operations (routes, vehicles, etc.).
• SAEIV (Operating Assistance and Passenger Information System): A real-time vehicle management tool that also provides passengers with up-to-date information.
• SDK (Software Development Kit): A set of tools used for developing and integrating mobility applications.
• SE (Secure Element): Applications that enable contactless ticket purchases and validations using the phone’s embedded chip (commonly on iPhones & Samsung devices).
• SIV (Passenger Information System): A system for broadcasting real-time information to passengers.
• TPV / TPVS (Point of Sale Terminal / Simplified): Equipment that allows the purchase of transport tickets.

Key concepts – Stakeholders & mobilities 

• AOM (Mobility Organising Authorities): “Public entity responsible for organising mobility within its territorial jurisdiction.”
  
  
• DSP (Public Service Delegation): A contract through which a public legal entity entrusts the management of a public service, for which it is responsible, to a public or private delegate.
• Interoperability: The ability of systems to interface and operate together, enabling users to access a wide range of services with a single support medium.
• MaaS (Mobility-as-a-Service) : An integrated platform for planning, booking, and paying for different modes of transport.
• White label: A solution provided by a supplier and marketed under a client’s brand.
• Multimodality: The use of multiple modes of transport for a single journey. Example: Train + Shared Bicycle.
• SBM (Mutualised Ticketing System): A shared platform for inter-network ticketing.
• Smart City: A city leveraging digital technologies to improve mobility and quality of life.

Security, data and standards  

• Data analysis: Leveraging data to improve services (e.g., schedule optimization).
• EMV (Europay Mastercard Visa): International security standard for bank card payments.
• PAN (Primary Account Number): The identification number of a bank card.
• PCI (Payment Card Industry): Security standards for bank card transactions.
• SaaS (Software as a Service): Access to software solutions via the cloud.
• SAM (Secure Application Module): A secure module used to validate transactions on validators.

This glossary brings together the key terms related to Smart Cities and public transport. Drawing on our expertise in ticketing — Open Payment, MaaS, mobile applications, and interoperability — we support local authorities and operators in modernising their mobility services.

Sources: CNIL, UITP, Open ABT, economie.gouv, enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr, francenum.gouv.fr, GART.