Railway Companies Look to Digital IDs, Facial Biometrics and Blockchain for Ticketing

by Masha Borak | Biometric Update

Railway companies in France, Japan and Indonesia double down on introducing ticketing technology such as digital identity and facial recognition. Meanwhile, a digital ID-focused VC firm argues that rail service providers need to go decentralized if they want to protect themselves from data leaks.

French railway experiments with digital IDs for ticket checks

French national rail operator SNCF continues to test using digital IDs for ticket checks through the France Identité mobile app.

Starting on January 20th, passengers traveling on TGV InOui high-speed trains can prove their identity by showing a QR code through the app which displays their name and date of birth. By scanning the QR code, train inspectors can confirm that a person is sitting in their assigned seat.

SNFC has been testing the France Identité app since June 2024. The current trial is expected to be expanded to other SNCF-operated trains by the end of the year, Connexion France reports.

The national digital wallet currently holds a digital driver’s license and identity card while the French government plans to make the healthcare card, the carte Vitale, accessible in the first quarter of 2025.

Tokyo introduces facial recognition for airport railway line

The railway line connecting Tokyo’s Narita airport to downtown Tokyo has introduced facial recognition ticket gates to cut down on crowds caused by the rising number of tourists to Japan, Kyodo News reports. Read Full Article >