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Its planned merger with France-based competitor Transdev, announced in summer 2009, would make big transit operator Veolia Transport even bigger.

The new transit company, which will provide bus, tram, train, ferry and other transport services under contract to transportation authorities worldwide, is to be spun off by parent Veolia Environment. Although Veolia Transport's operations are now worldwide, France accounted for nearly 40% of its 6.1 billion euros in revenue in 2008. 

If the huge transit company that results from the merger continues to express the level of interest in NFC it has shown the past five years in France, then the new entity will be a big driver for the technology.

Veolia has held three NFC trials in France and is planning to participate in a significant “demonstration” project of NFC backed by the government and co-organized by the country’s three major mobile operators, along with other players. Consumers will be able to buy and reload transit tickets and passes over the air and tap their phones on readers onboard buses and trams in the Nice area.

Veolia was scheduled to take part in another trial, billed by the main sponsor, France Telecom-Orange, as a precommercial launch of NFC in 2008 in Bordeaux. But, among other things, the regional government in Bordeaux chose not to renew Veolia’s five-year contract to provide bus and tram service to the area.