2023-08-29 12:44:22
Navigo and digital T+ tickets have been available for almost a year on most Android smartphones. Enough to make jealous the owners of iPhones or Apple Watch, running under iOS, always deprived of this very practical option, which makes it possible to do without a physical password.
However, the subject has been under discussion since 2019. To date, the iPhone can be used to recharge a Navigo by placing it on the back of the device, but it cannot act as a “password” at the entrance to the metro or RER. Despite a memorandum of understanding signed in 2022 between Île-de-France Mobilités (IDFM), the authority in charge of transport, and the apple firm, the possibility of opening the metro gates is still not available. on iPhone… Announced for “autumn 2023”, this option should finally see the light of day in early 2024, before the Paris Olympics, confirms IDFM.
An agreement deemed contrary to French law
Monday, the media “The Informed” revealed that this umpteenth postponement is not necessarily due to the legendary requirement of Apple in technical or financial matters. The agreement reached had been officially adopted by IDFM on February 17, 2022, with a vote by its board of directors chaired by Valérie Pécresse, recalls L’Informé. “But the prefect of the Île-de-France region, Marc Guillaume, opposed it, judging that certain provisions did not stick to French law and that certain clauses were contrary to the legislation on public procurement. In addition, he considered it necessary that the contract with Apple and its amendments, written in English, be translated into French”. Also according to L’Informé, this appeal filed in March was finally lifted on July 21, after Apple complied with French law.
Launched many months ago, the IT developments necessary to integrate Ile-de-France transport tickets into the “Wallet” (Apple’s digital wallet) and its contactless payment system “Apple Pay” are therefore continuing. IDFM says it is “confident” for a launch “early 2024”.
The contract concluded between IDFM and Apple is spread over a period of five years, with a total budget of 5 million euros maximum dedicated to the development of these new services. A budget equivalent to that allocated to the development of Android services operated by Samsung with IDFM. Although iOS devices are in the minority in France (76.6% of the market for Android), they are popular with international customers and residents of the Paris region. Tourists and visitors from all over the world will thus be able to easily find the appropriate transport tickets, without having to buy a badge that they will no longer use once they leave Île-de-France.
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