Customer needs
- Make public transport more accessible and convenient for residents and tourists
- Enable seamless, intuitive payments across multiple transport modes
- Improve operational efficiency and reduce reliance on cash
Elavon solutions
- EMV contactless payment solution across Venice’s entire public transport network, in partnership with Visa Cybersource and Conduent Transportation
- Open-loop technology allowing payments via contactless cards, digital wallets or smart devices
- End-to-end infrastructure by Conduent; payment processing by Elavon and Visa Cybersource
The results
- Passengers can pay with cards or smart devices – no special tickets or apps needed
- Reduced queues, improved customer experience and fare capping for cost savings
- Enhanced staff safety, lower ticketing costs and increased public transport usage
The world-famous Italian city of Venice has an environment, architecture and history like no other. Its public transport is unique, too. The municipal’s public transport company, Azienda Veneziana della Mobilità (AVM), runs a fleet of water buses, speedboats, motorboats and ferries, as well as buses and trams, serving between 100-120 million passengers per year.
“The AVM mobility and public transport network is essential to our area, so we want to be sure that our system is accessible and convenient for residents and tourists,” says Giovanni Seno, AVM managing director. “Bringing these leading companies together from the beginning allows us to meet the needs of our customers efficiently and in a timely manner.”
EMV solution
Elavon has partnered with Conduent Transportation and Visa to provide an EMV (Europay, Mastercard, Visa) payment solution across Venice’s entire public transport network. It allows passengers, for the first time, to pay with contactless credit, debit or prepaid cards, digital wallets or any payment-enabled device, such as smartphones or smartwatches.
Conduent delivers the end-to-end technical infrastructure, while Elavon with Visa Cybersource manages the payment processing.
The solution will be implemented on more than 150 wharfs, servicing a fleet of 149 vessels – including water buses, speedboats, motorboats and ferries – 540 buses, 20 trams on two lines, and two people-movers.
Open-loop technology
“An open loop system allows passengers to pay with any form of payment rather than a dedicated transport card,” says Russell Green, Head of Emerging Verticals Pan-EU and Ireland at Elavon Europe. “It makes it convenient and intuitive for the customer, whether on their regular commute or taking their first ever water taxi. It’s also a more efficient, resilient, and cost-effective approach for you as an operator.”
He adds: “A payment card or smart device becomes the only ticket needed.”
An open loop ticketing system (as alternative to a closed loop ticketing system) means there’s no special cards or apps required, and the technology allows operators, like AVM in Venice and ATM Genova, to configure fare caps to offer cost savings to passengers easily and efficiently.
With open-loop technology, customers can pay quickly and however they like, helping to reduce queues. There’s no need to buy paper tickets in advance, nor to carry cash or have the exact fare. As a consistent, intuitive way to pay, there’s no need for tourists to learn new behaviours – critical for a city that welcomes so many holidaymakers. Real-time updates allow customers to travel all day with just one capped bill, so it’s cheaper for them too.
Benefits for transport operators
It’s not just tourists who benefit from open-loop technology: transport operators can also reap the rewards.
By improving the customer experience, the system encourages more people to use public transport – knowing they can pay how they like and not face queues at ticket booths. Packaging fares results in lower acceptance costs for multiple single transactions.
With open-loop systems, there’s no need to develop or service a proprietary-fare system, nor navigate endless data-handling protocols. By cutting the time and cost spent issuing tickets, distributing paper rolls and handling or securing cash, the technology also enhances safety and security for staff. EMV cards also incorporate higher security standards than cash.
Work with us and see how Elavon and our partners can support your transport payment needs.
Key benefits
- A payment card or smart device is the only ticket needed
- Convenient and intuitive for both residents and tourists
- Full visibility into customer journeys across all payment touchpoints
- Easily configurable fare caps help deliver best-value pricing
- No cash handling – improves staff safety and operational security
Want fast digital payments for public transport, taxis, parking, fuel sales or road tolls? Discover our secure, scalable payment systems tailored for transport.
Helping thousands of customers around the world grow their business through payments
Customer service and support
We’re here to help!
Customer service: 0345 850 0195
Telephone: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Chat: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Opayo product support: 0191 313 0299
24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Copyright © 2025 | U.S. Bank Europe DAC. Registered in Ireland with Companies Registration Office. The liability of the member is limited. United Kingdom branch registered in England and Wales under the number BR022122.
U.S. Bank Europe DAC, trading as Elavon Merchant Services, is a credit institution authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority are available from us on request.
Helping thousands of customers around the world grow their business through payments
Customer service and support
We’re here to help!
Customer service: 0345 850 0195
Telephone: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Chat: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm
Opayo product support: 0191 313 0299
24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Copyright © 2025 | U.S. Bank Europe DAC. Registered in Ireland with Companies Registration Office. The liability of the member is limited. United Kingdom branch registered in England and Wales under the number BR022122.
U.S. Bank Europe DAC, trading as Elavon Merchant Services, is a credit institution authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority are available from us on request.
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