Johnny Astbury, Chief Executive Officer of Worldline UK&I, reveals his favourite public transport city, a nightmare taxi ride and how digital transformation will shape mobility in the next five years.
17 / 01 / 2025
As Worldline’s MeTS Transport and Mobility lead, Johnny is driving innovation by creating seamless, sustainable and customer-centred transport solutions. From harnessing AI to simplifying multi-modal travel, he shares insights on overcoming challenges and shaping the future of our industry.

What inspired you to work in mobility and public transport at Worldline?
The people. We have a very diverse team at Worldline in terms of industry background and culture. As a result our work is always rich in terms of engagement, ideas for the business and most importantly, the consumers of our services.
The worlds of transport and technology are heavily linked and we are right in the middle of it, so now we are really seeing the societal impact of our solutions and how they can impact people’s daily lives, increase accessibility and contribute towards our sustainability goals.
As you lead Worldline MeTS Transport and Mobility, what is your long-term vision for the transport mobility sector, and how do you see Worldline playing a key role in that future?
Rail plays a fundamental role in connecting communities and driving economic growth, and because of this, it needs to be part of a broader, interconnected transport network that truly serves everyone.
I am a firm believer that travel should be simple, accessible, and more enjoyable for customers. We need to remove barriers and create a seamless experience. Looking ahead, Artificial Intelligence has an important part to play in improving operational efficiency, helping transport operators of all modes deliver better services and optimise resources.
Ultimately, our goal is to support the creation of a transport system that’s not only reliable and sustainable, but also attractive for customers – both here in the UK, across Europe and beyond.
With rapid advancements in technology, what emerging technologies do you believe will have the most significant impact on transportation and mobility in the next few years?
Its got to be AI hasn’t it?! We are at that point I think where there is a lot of hype in terms of AI but really no one has advanced greatly. Just as once Big Data was the buzz word I think its fair to say that actually we are only now seeing some of the true value from it and the same I think will be said for AI…..the best is yet to come! Data analytics, and integrated digital platforms are undeniably poised to have a major impact on transportation and mobility.
What are we pushing for? Detailed insights into travel patterns and purchasing behaviours, and to then use that meaningfully to create more demand led and personal experiences for customers. All these innovations will actively contribute towards a more user-friendly transport network, which aligns neatly with our own vision at Worldline in the Future of Rail whitepaper.
What do you see as the biggest challenges currently facing the transport and mobility industry?
The fragmentation of services continues to be a major challenge, as it creates a frustrating, disjointed experience for customers. People want their journeys to be seamless, whether they’re travelling by train, tram or bus.
Being able to deliver a solution that allows customers to plan, book and pay for multi-modal trips in one simple process is the key to solving this issue. It’s about putting the customer at the centre and using AI, data capture and ticketing technologies to remove barriers. If we can make journeys smoother and more intuitive, we’ll be on our way to creating a transport network that people will genuinely enjoy using.
How would you describe the culture at Worldline?
We focus on empowering individuals and with accountability, one can’t come without the other! We encourage our team to take charge by making decisions that benefit both customers and the business.
Prioritising transparent and respectful communication is also at the top of my list, creating an open space for constructive dialogue and feedback, which I believe only strengthens relationships and keeps everyone engaged.
I’m especially proud of our recognition as one of The Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality for two consecutive years. Diversity and inclusion remain at the heart of our success, enriching our collaborative environment, and ensuring every voice is heard.
As you look towards the next five years, what key trends or developments do you anticipate will shape the future of transport and mobility, and how is Worldline preparing for them?
The next five years will see transport and mobility shaped by digital transformation, and sustainability. It sounds like a classical and predictable response, that’s because it is, and I think remains true!
Worldline is leveraging advanced analytics and machine learning through partnerships, with organisations such as Google, to deliver smarter, seamless and unified multimodal travel experiences.
Sustainability will also remain front of mind for industry leaders. While it may not directly influence rail’s environmental impact, Worldline today already supports customers in reducing their carbon footprint by providing digital solutions that promote efficiency and sustainable practices.
Finally, agility will be crucial as the industry evolves. We’re fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability within our teams, enabling us to respond quickly to change while driving collaboration, accountability and clear communication. The latter being often taken for granted, but critical.
Do you have a personal anecdote about a public transport experience that made you appreciate the importance of convenient and reliable transportation?
Certainly. I was on the way to an important client meeting about 10 years ago, and when we arrived in London we had two choices – the Tube for speed or a taxi for comfort and the chance to compare notes before the meeting. We chose the taxi, got caught in terrible traffic and ended up arriving very late and stressed. Lesson learned – it’s horses for courses! Now of course we have the benefit of great apps that can tell us how long it should take depending on the mode, so as travellers we can be a lot better informed and prepared.
What’s your favourite mode of public transport and why?
The bus! I think it’s often overlooked by some people. But when you look at the distances covered, the number of routes, frequency and the fact that more often than not they already cover a lot of the “last mile”, it’s a great mode of transport. In some communities it’s the absolute backbone of transport, getting people to work, school, shops and helping in their day to day lives.
What city do you think has the best public transport and why?
Mumbai in India. The advancement that has been made to introduce the metro and new expressways together with new apps like Chalo Pay have revolutionised transport there for around 21m people. And the speed with which the city has completed those achievements is unbelievable.