Mastercard Accelerates the Future of Mobility with Open-Loop Transit Payments in Azerbaijan

In a world where cities are constantly on the move, Mastercard stands at the forefront of the mobility revolution. As the leading technology company in transit payments, Mastercard is transforming how people travel — making every journey faster, simpler, and smarter.

Across the globe, millions of riders choose Mastercard-enabled systems because of their convenience — safe, simple and smart. With one tap, travelers can use their existing debit or credit card, phone, or wearable to ride metros, buses, ferries, and trains. No extra cards, no top-ups, no waiting.

The Power of Open-Loop Innovation

In conventional “closed-loop” systems, passengers must buy and recharge dedicated travel cards that only work within one operator’s network. Open-loop system, means travelers can use their existing cards or digital wallets anywhere the system is enabled, making travel simpler for commuters and more cost-effective for cities.

Public transportation users can make payments without the hassle of coins or tickets by simply scanning their contactless Mastercard credit and debit cards, this eliminates the need to waste time topping up their transportation cards in the busy city and eliminates the risk of losing money in the event of a loss or theft. Another advantage of this system is that inbound travelers can use their mobile card for transportation, regardless of the city they visit, without having to worry about the city’s card system. 

Real-World Impact Around the Globe 

From London to Amsterdam, Singapore to Sydney, Mastercard’s open-loop solutions are transforming how people move through cities.

·     London, one of the earliest adopters, saw contactless payments become the dominant way to travel, handling millions of journeys each day and dramatically reducing the cost of fare management.

·     The Netherlands recently introduced nationwide open-loop payments, enabling riders to use the same card or digital device for trains, trams, and buses across the entire country — a seamless experience that connects all regions under one interoperable system.

·     In Singapore, the Land Transport Authority partnered with Mastercard to enable contactless payments across all major modes of transit, contributing to the city’s vision of becoming a global smart-mobility hub.

·     In Turkey, card acceptance in public transportation has been an important milestone during the recent years, contributing to the wider adoption of card payments for low-value transactions and helping drive the growth of contactless usage over the years.

Other notable implementations include the transportation systems in New York City (USA) Sydney (Australia), and Milan (Italy), where open-loop payments have been integrated. Mastercard’s open-loop solution has been reshaping the transit ecosystem — offering cities efficiency and scale, and passengers unmatched convenience and confidence.  

The Future of Urban Movement 

As cities around the world rethink transportation, Mastercard stands at the intersection of payments, technology, and urban progress — enabling connected, sustainable mobility where every tap moves us closer to a smarter future. Digital payments help cities reduce cash handling, improve fare collection, minimize fraud, and streamline daily operations — all while enhancing the passenger experience.