Conduent set to modernise Saint-Étienne transit network

Saint-Étienne Métropole serves a population of more than 400,000 in east-central France. Conduent’s three-phase project began with implementation of a contactless open payment system in advance of the now-ongoing Paris Olympic & Paralympic Games, of which Saint-Étienne is a host city.

In phase one, Conduent implemented an open payment system that allows passengers on all of the network’s lines to pay using validators installed on buses and trams. Payments can be made with contactless EMV - Europay, Mastercard and Visa - as well as debit and credit cards and NFC-enabled digital wallets such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.

More than 300 validators were installed in this first phase, with one on each bus and at least two on each tram.

In phase two next year, Conduent will complete the implementation of its Atlas Ops back-office system as well as associated equipment, thus renewing the network’s entire ticketing system. This phase will include the start of interoperability with the contactless cards used for the regional Oùra system.

Regional interoperability will then be enhanced in early 2026 during a third phase, which will enable the use of regional 2D barcode tickets via a mobile app.

Luc François, vice president of transport and mobility at SEM, said the Olympics and Paralympics would bring "a significant increase in the use of our transportation network" as visitors come to watch men's and women's football.

“SEM ... wants to ensure that riders, whether they are residents of Saint-Étienne Métropole or visitors, can easily and quickly use our transit network,” said François. “This is just the first phase of a significant upgrade, to be implemented by Conduent, that will modernise our network, as well as make it a more efficient and accessible public transportation system.”

Upon completion of all three phases, SEM will have 1,100 validators on board buses and trams, 68 ticket vending machines, 75 point of sale terminals in retailers, 26 point of sale terminals in transport operator ticket offices and 55 inspection terminals.

“When complete, the transformation of Saint-Étienne’s bus and tram network will enhance the customer experience and provide a network that is more customer-friendly, easily accessible and modern,” said Jean Charles Zaia, president of transit solutions at Conduent.

Following Rennes, Marseille and Grenoble, Saint-Étienne is the latest French metropolitan area to implement a Conduent contactless open payment system on its public transport network.

Conduent's open payment solutions are also deployed in the Pays Basque region of France, as well as in Mexico, US, Belgium, Australia and Italy.