The first half of 2026 has been shaped by strong collaboration with customers and partners, continued investment in people and product, and a shared commitment to delivering smarter, more connected public transport technology.
Marking the halfway point of the year, we caught up with Ticketer CEO Kelly Hanna to reflect on H1 milestones, moments and our continued mission for the rest of the year.
Reflecting on H1 Successes
Q: Looking back on the first half of 2026, what achievements are you most proud of?
“For me, what stands out most is the strength of the relationships we’ve continued to build with operators, transport authorities and industry partners. Those relationships underpin everything we do. We spend a huge amount of time listening to customers, understanding the challenges they’re facing and working alongside them to develop solutions that deliver real operational value.
We’ve also had the privilege of welcoming some fantastic new customers, including Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. As only the second franchised bus network outside London, it’s an exciting programme that will help shape the future of public transport. While we’re able to draw on the experience we’ve gained supporting the Bee Network in Greater Manchester, every region has its own priorities and challenges. Working collaboratively with LCRCA to deliver solutions tailored to their specific needs has been incredibly rewarding.
Another significant milestone was being appointed as Stagecoach‘s new real-time information and ticketing supplier. Being selected reflects the confidence one of the UK’s largest operators has placed in both our technology and our people. It is a testament to the expertise across the business and the trusted relationships we’ve built throughout the industry.
None of these achievements happen without our people. Their expertise, commitment and relentless focus on customer success remain the biggest differentiator for Ticketer, and I’m incredibly proud of everything the team has accomplished during the first half of the year.”
Q: Alongside these partnerships, what has Ticketer been focusing on behind the scenes?
“Growth is exciting, but sustainable growth requires disciplined investment. As a business grows, it’s important to continually assess whether the foundations are in place to support the next stage of that journey.
Over the past six months we’ve continued investing in our people, expanding our technology platform and strengthening the infrastructure that underpins our solutions. As customer expectations continue to evolve, it’s essential that our technology, processes and teams evolve alongside them.
Public transport is entering a period of significant transformation, driven by franchising, increasing digitalisation and growing passenger expectations. Our role is to help operators and authorities navigate that change with technology that is practical, reliable and designed around genuine operational needs.
Ultimately, these investments aren’t simply about supporting today’s growth. They’re about ensuring Ticketer is well positioned to continue delivering innovation, resilience and long-term value for customers for many years to come.”
Q: Where have you seen the greatest innovation across Ticketer and the wider transport sector so far this year?
“One of the things I’ve enjoyed most this year is seeing innovation become increasingly outcome focused. The conversation has shifted toward solutions that deliver measurable operational improvements for customers. Driver Connect is a great example of that. It started by listening carefully to operators, understanding where traditional communication methods were creating inefficiencies and then working together to develop a solution that addresses a genuine operational challenge. That’s the kind of innovation that creates lasting value.
More broadly, we’re seeing increasing recognition of the role data can play in improving transport services. Authorities and operators have access to more information than ever before, but the real opportunity lies in turning that data into meaningful insight that enables better decisions, improves operational performance and ultimately enhances the passenger experience.
Across the wider industry we’re also seeing exciting developments in connected transport, automation and emerging technologies. While many of these innovations are still evolving, it’s encouraging to see the sector embracing change and exploring new ways of delivering more efficient, accessible and sustainable public transport.”
Strengthening Customer Partnerships
Q: Customer relationships have always been central to Ticketer. How have those relationships evolved so far this year?
“The biggest change I’ve noticed is how collaborative those relationships have become. Our customers are no longer simply investing in technology – they’re investing in long-term partnerships. They’re bringing us ideas, challenging our thinking, sharing feedback and working alongside our teams to shape products that genuinely make a difference to their operations.
That openness has been fantastic to see, particularly as we’ve spent more time out in the industry through customer visits, depot sessions, conferences and the continued growth of our Customer Success team. Those face-to-face conversations remain invaluable because they give us a much deeper understanding of the operational challenges customers experience every day.
Ultimately, those relationships drive everything we do. The stronger our partnerships become, the better equipped we are to deliver technology that continues to meet the changing needs of operators and transport authorities both today and into the future.”
Looking Ahead
Q: What are you most excited about as Ticketer enters the second half of the year?
“We’ve invested significantly behind the scenes during the first half of the year, and H2 is when customers will begin to experience the benefits of much of that work through new capabilities, continued product enhancements and further improvements across our platform.
I’m also looking forward to Euro Bus Expo. It remains one of the highlights of the industry calendar and provides a fantastic opportunity to reconnect with customers, demonstrate what we’ve been working on and, just as importantly, listen to the challenges they’re looking to solve next.
More than anything, though, I’m excited by the momentum we’re building. Public transport continues to evolve at pace, and operators and authorities are embracing technology as an increasingly important enabler of better services.
Ticketer has always believed that better technology helps deliver better public transport. As we move into the second half of the year, we’re well positioned – with the right people, strong partnerships and continued investment – to play an even greater role in supporting our customers and helping shape the future of public transport.”
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