The Passenger Information Systems (PIS) market is accelerating into a new era of passenger-centric transportation as transit authorities, airports, and private mobility providers invest in technologies that deliver timely, accessible and actionable travel information. Driven by the twin forces of digital transformation and rising passenger expectations, PIS solutions are evolving from simple announcement tools into sophisticated, multimodal platforms that integrate digital signage, mobile apps, sensors and cloud-based analytics.

According to the research report, the global passenger information system market was valued at USD 23.88 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 65.21 billion by 2030, to grow at a CAGR of 11.90%during the forecast period.

Market definition

Passenger Information Systems (PIS) refer to the integrated hardware and software solutions that collect, process and distribute travel-related information to passengers across transport nodes — including rail, metro, bus, tram, ferry and airports. Typical components include audio announcement systems, programmable digital displays, wayfinding interfaces, mobile and web applications, schedule management back-ends, and real-time data feeds for operations control centers. PIS is designed to improve passenger experience, reduce perceived wait times, support accessibility, and enable smoother connections between modes.

Key market growth drivers

Several strategic trends are propelling the adoption and expansion of PIS across regions and modes:

1. Demand for real-time information and operational resilience. Passengers expect accurate, up-to-the-minute information about delays, platform changes and connections. Real-time train announcements and live disruption alerts reduce passenger anxiety and help operators manage crowding and service changes more efficiently.

2. Digitalization and cloud-native architectures. Operators are modernizing legacy PIS deployments with cloud-based platforms that allow centralized schedule management, remote updates to digital signage systems, and scaled distribution of multimedia content. This lowers maintenance costs and speeds feature rollouts.

3. Mobile-first passenger engagement. The proliferation of smartphones and mobile passenger apps has shifted many interactions from fixed displays to personalized channels. Mobile apps deliver interactive journey planners, push notifications, accessibility features and contactless ticketing integration — creating opportunities to deepen passenger loyalty and increase non-fare revenue.

4. Accessibility and inclusivity mandates. Regulatory frameworks and social expectations are encouraging inclusive design — improved audio annunciation, visual contrast on displays, multi-language support and tactile/voice-enabled wayfinding solutions for passengers with reduced mobility or sensory impairments.

5. Integration with multimodal and MaaS ecosystems. As mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) platforms emerge, PIS is becoming a critical integration layer connecting timetables, shared modes, first/last-mile options and real-time vehicle locations to present a seamless journey to users.

6. Safety, security and emergency communications. PIS serves a safety-critical role during incidents: clear, coordinated audio and visual messaging can facilitate rapid evacuations, provide behavioral guidance and maintain public confidence.

𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐬𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:

https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/passenger-information-system-market 

Market opportunity

The PIS market presents multiple high-value opportunities for vendors and transport authorities:

• Upgrades and retrofits of aging infrastructure. Many transit systems still operate analog or siloed digital systems. Phased replacement programs offer steady contracts for hardware, integration services and software licensing.

• Value-added passenger services. Integrating advertising, dynamic retail promotions and local service recommendations into digital signage systems and mobile passenger apps creates new revenue streams for operators.

• Data-driven operations and predictive services. By coupling PIS with analytics and IoT telemetry, operators can predict crowding, optimize dwell times, and proactively adjust service advisories — driving operational efficiency and potential cost savings.

• Accessibility feature suites. Tailored solutions for visually or hearing-impaired passengers — such as voice-activated wayfinding solutions and high-contrast, large-font displays — can be offered as premium compliance modules for public tenders.

• Multimodal integration and MaaS partnerships. Vendors that enable standardized APIs and interoperability across ticketing, vehicle location feeds and third-party MaaS apps will be well-positioned as cities pursue integrated mobility strategies.

Regional analysis

PIS adoption patterns vary by region, driven by infrastructure maturity, regulatory context and urbanization dynamics.

• North America: Strong investment in modernization programs, particularly in major metropolitan transit agencies and airports. Emphasis is on mobile integration, digital signage upgrades and accessibility compliance. Procurement environments favor scalable, cloud-native solutions with robust security features.

• Europe: High penetration of multimodal travel and progressive MaaS pilots make Europe a fertile ground for integrated PIS platforms. European authorities often stress accessibility and environmental messaging; multilingual support and EU interoperability standards shape vendor offerings.

• Asia-Pacific: Rapid urbanization and extensive rail and metro expansions (including heavy investments in new metro lines and airport capacity) drive high-volume demand for both hardware deployments and end-to-end software suites. Innovation hubs in the region also produce localized mobile passenger apps that cater to dense, high-frequency commuter flows.

• Middle East & Africa: Major airport modernization projects and new urban rail systems create concentrated opportunities. Governments often prioritize high-capacity digital signage systems and premium passenger experience features, especially within large transit hubs and smart-city initiatives.

• Latin America: Emerging investments in bus rapid transit (BRT) and urban rail upgrades drive demand. Vendors that offer cost-effective retrofit solutions and modular PIS suites find traction with authorities balancing budget constraints and growing ridership demands.

Challenges to address

While opportunities are strong, vendors and operators must navigate several challenges:

• Interoperability and legacy integration. Many systems were deployed in different eras with proprietary protocols; achieving seamless integration demands careful systems engineering and open APIs.

• Cybersecurity and data privacy. As PIS platforms connect to backend systems and public networks, robust security practices and privacy safeguards for passenger data are non-negotiable.

• Procurement cycles and budget constraints. Large public tenders can be slow and price-sensitive; vendors often need flexible commercial models (e.g., software-as-a-service) to compete.

• Operational continuity during upgrades. Phased rollouts must preserve critical communications and accessibility functions during transitions.

Key companies

Industry participants range from large multinational systems integrators to specialized PIS software vendors and display manufacturers. Notable companies that are active in developing, supplying or integrating PIS solutions include:

• Alstom

• Siemens Mobility

• Thales Group

• Cubic Transportation Systems

• Panasonic Connect

• Mitsubishi Electric

• Bosch Mobility Solutions

• Genetec (communications/security integration)

• Daktronics (digital displays and signage hardware)

• PTC / SkedGo (journey planning and MaaS connectors)

Outlook

Passenger Information Systemsare evolving from static announcement setups to intelligent, networked platforms that put the traveler at the center of the journey. The combined momentum of digital transformation, accessibility imperatives and multimodal integration is creating a long runway of opportunities for operators and vendors alike. Systems that deliver reliable real-time train announcements, seamless mobile passenger apps, intuitive wayfinding solutions and dynamic digital signage systems will increasingly define the quality of public transport experiences in the coming decade.

More Trending Latest Reports By Polaris Market Research:

Central Lab Market

Bioimpedance Analyzers Market

5G System Integration Market

The booming LNG storage tanks market: A game-changer in the energy industry

Bioimpedance Analyzers Market

Mushroom Extracts Market

Trade Surveillance Systems Market

U.S. Viral Vector and Plasmid DNA Manufacturing Market : Predicted to Reach US$ 11,315.21 Million by 2032 | CAGR 19.9%

Primary Cells Market

People Counting Systems Market

Geo Textile Market

Growing Demand for Greener Fuels Worldwide to Increase Adoption of CNG

People Counting Systems Market

Wafer Processing Equipment Market

Isosorbide Market

U.S. Viral Vector and Plasmid DNA Manufacturing Market : Predicted to Reach US$ 11,315.21 Million by 2032 | CAGR 19.9%