Digital identity for seamless public transport access

Public transport systems across Europe are evolving rapidly — but the way passengers prove their identity and eligibility has barely changed. Physical cards, printed subscription documents, and centralised passenger databases remain the norm, even as the technology to replace them has matured. Whether it's a student discount, a senior pass, or a regional subscription, verification still relies on methods that collect far more personal data than necessary.

The current model creates friction on both sides. Passengers carry multiple cards and documents, while operators maintain large centralised databases containing far more personal information than is needed for any individual journey. This creates privacy exposure that regulators and passengers increasingly find unacceptable, and it creates real breach risk for operators.

Verifiable credentials change the equation. Instead of sharing a full identity document or subscription record, a passenger presents a cryptographically verified claim that proves only what is necessary — proof of age, student status, or a valid subscription — without exposing the underlying personal data. A student, for example, could present a verifiable credential confirming their enrolment status without revealing their name, student number, or institution.

This benefits everyone. Passengers experience faster boarding, cross-operator compatibility, and full control over their own data. Operators reduce their compliance burden, lower storage costs, and minimise breach exposure. Credenco's infrastructure enables exactly this model: credential issuers, whether transport authorities, universities, or employers, issue credentials once. Passengers hold them. Operators verify them. Only the minimum necessary data is ever exchanged.