Transit Tech Lab Selects Matawan
Transit Tech Lab Selects Matawan to Collaborate with Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) on AI-Driven Ridership Improvement Initiative
Matawan, a leading European scale-up in mobility solutions, announced today its selection by the Transit Tech Lab as one of twelve companies to collaborate with leading New York metropolitan transit agencies. The Transit Tech Lab is a public-private initiative established by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Partnership Fund for New York City to foster innovation in public transportation.
Matawan to Pioneer AI-Powered Ridership Improvement Project with Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Matawan will partner with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) to pilot its WanData AI/Data Intelligence solution. The initiative aims at significantly improving the rider experience on the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) system by accurately measuring, capturing, and analyzing paid ridership and travel demand data. These insights will empower PATH to optimize transit schedules and enhance communication strategies for its passengers.
Matawan is currently developing a proof of concept (POC), slated for delivery by the end of June, for the PATH system – a vital 13.8-mile (22.2 km) rapid transit network serving Newark, Harrison, Jersey City, and Hoboken in northeastern New Jersey, as well as Lower and Midtown Manhattan in New York City.
The 3 key elements Matawan will seek to address are:
- Reconstitute the Origin/Destination matrices per line by leveraging their validation data and video feeds.
- Project the load on board each train over a period of time.
- Predict the load on board for the purpose of communicating with users.
A Highly Selective Program Driving Transit Innovation
The 2025 Transit Tech Lab finalists were chosen from an impressive pool of 112 applications from around the globe, following a rigorous evaluation process involving over 200 public sector experts.
Applicants were challenged to propose technology-driven solutions addressing two key areas: “Ridership Improvement,” focusing on analyzing ridership and travel demand data to enhance the passenger experience, and “Inspection & Maintenance,” aimed at optimizing these critical operational aspects. Companies demonstrating promising solutions and strong product-market fit participated in in-person pitch sessions and expo-style demonstrations with senior staff from the participating agencies.
The twelve finalists will conduct a minimum viable test of their technology over an eight-week “proof of concept” period in collaboration with one or more of the participating agencies, including the MTA, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the NYC Department of Transportation.
→ The program has a proven track record: since its 2018 inception, successful proofs of concept have led to full-scale pilots and, ultimately, 30 solutions have commercially scaled or directly influenced procurement decisions, highlighting the potential for these initial tests to drive tangible change.
"This selection by the Transit Tech Lab coincides with the strategic strengthening of our North American team, both of which underscore Matawan's deep commitment to this pivotal market. As a European leader in Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) and provider of a comprehensive SaaS mobility platform, Matawan empowers over 300 transit networks globally to elevate service quality and enrich the rider experience. We recognize the universal demand for sophisticated digital mobility solutions and are dedicated to addressing this need. Building on our established presence in Canada, we are excited to accelerate our expansion across the United States, bringing our innovative, rider-centric solutions to an even wider audience."
Matawan Strengthens North American Team with Appointment of Jeff Cross
Reinforcing its commitment to the North American market, Matawan appointed Jeff Cross this May as Senior Solutions and Bid Manager for North America. Jeff is a seasoned professional with a robust technical and sales background. His extensive experience includes over two years as a Senior Solutions Engineer at Cubic Transportation Systems in Dallas and more than six years at ModoPayments in Richardson, TX, where he held key roles such as Payments Architect and Sales Engineer, gaining significant expertise in the fare payments industry.