EP075 - Transit Payments - In conversation with Manoj Sugathan

In our first episode of 2025, we dive into the world of open-loop transit payments with payments industry veteran, Manoj Sugathan. With over 30 years of experience, Manoj has played a pivotal role in driving contactless payment solutions across the Asia-Pacific region. We explore the future of public transportation payments and how open-loop systems are revolutionizing the way commuters travel globally.

Key Highlights:

🔄 Closed-loop vs. Open-loop Systems: Manoj explains the difference between transit-exclusive payment cards and open-loop systems that allow you to use your everyday contactless cards or mobile wallets to pay for public transport.

🌍 Global Adoption: Open-loop transit payments have been successfully implemented in cities like Singapore, London, and New York, with more than 900 programs worldwide.

🚇 India’s Opportunity: As India rapidly expands its metro networks, the country is uniquely positioned to implement open-loop systems from day one, offering seamless travel across cities with just one contactless card.

Tune in to the full episode to learn more about the future of transit payments and how it can transform the commuting experience!

Contact Manoj

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manojsugathan/
• X: https://x.com/masug