Major events don’t break transit systems because of size; they stress them because travel becomes directional, time-bound, and synchronized.
As the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina draw to a close, transit agencies worldwide are studying what worked, what broke, and what can be improved. Over the coming year, dozens of host cities will face similar stress tests as international visitors converge on unfamiliar networks.
While infrastructure investments draw headlines, the defining variable during surge events is information: how clearly, how quickly, and how consistently riders are guided through the network. Increasing frequency alone is not enough. Digital trip planning is no longer a convenience layered on top of service — it is core infrastructure that determines whether expanded capacity is actually usable.
Large-scale events introduce atypical, high-volume travel patterns — and a rider base that is often unfamiliar with the network. Transit authorities must simultaneously serve international visitors navigating an unfamiliar system, domestic travelers with limited local knowledge, and local commuters who still rely on the system for daily life.
This creates distinct operational and behavioral challenges:
1. Navigational uncertainty
Static transit maps often fail to reflect temporary shuttle loops, pop-up services, or station closures, leaving riders confused at critical moments.
2. Information barriers
Localized fare structures, unfamiliar payment systems, and language differences can be overwhelming — pushing riders toward congestion-inducing alternatives like ride-hailing.
3. The “precision gap” at trip’s end
Even when riders reach the correct station, lack of clarity about exits, security gates, or venue-specific entrances can create bottlenecks in the final stretch.
At the same time, the system must preserve capacity for local residents and commuters. Agencies should steer event-goers toward high-capacity routes prepared for surges, while preserving essential corridors that the local economy relies on for business as usual.
To bridge the gap between operational planning and rider experience, trip planning tools must reflect event conditions in real time.
Early, structured guidance from agencies — shared through industry-standard transit data feeds — ensures schedule changes, detours, and temporary services can be integrated across the entire digital ecosystem.
This is especially critical for international visitors who rely on globally trusted platforms rather than downloading a local app. Open, accessible data ensures consistent information regardless of interface.
In high-demand scenarios, effective digital trip planning requires:
Interfaces that reduce cognitive load through intuitive routing, relevant points of interest, and carriage-positioning guidance for faster station exits.
Granular instructions directing riders to precise gates or entrances based on ticketed seating, minimizing perimeter congestion.
Integration between agency control tools and rider-facing apps — supported by automated detour detection — so disruptions are immediately reflected in routing.
Translated alerts and guidance that reduce confusion, limit staff burden, and support global audiences.
When done well, digital guidance actively shapes network flow.
Our experience collaborating with Île-de-France Mobilités (the regional public transportation authority) during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games serves as a useful demonstration of how factoring digital trip planning tools into event planning strategies can influence travel patterns and keep riders moving.
In preparation for an influx of 11M+ visitors to the Greater Paris region, IdFM and Via implemented localized routing guidance in the Citymapper app, a trip planning tool used by 50M+ riders globally. Clearly-labelled "Recommended by Paris 2024" suggestions prioritized higher-capacity stations over routes with the shortest travel times, and directed riders to specific venue entrances based on their seating location. Disruption alerts were translated into eight languages to minimize friction for international visitors, and the app recommended safe biking routes across 415km of cycle paths between venues to promote active travel. These enhancements ensured the resilience of the region-wide transport system throughout the Games.
Recent Super Bowl Championship Parades offer another example of digital trip planning during acute demand spikes.
Earlier this month in Seattle, Citymapper surfaced additional event services and real-time diversions along parade routes, while in Philadelphia during its February 2025 celebration, the app integrated 20+ station closures, service detours, and live tracking for rerouted vehicles.
In both cases, clear agency guidance combined with localized digital routing ensured riders moved efficiently despite intense congestion.
The value of digital trip planning extends beyond event day.
Temporary enhancements — venue-level routing, multilingual alert systems, real-time detour automation — can be institutionalized to permanently elevate the rider experience.
With major events ahead, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, agencies have an opportunity to manage demand spikes and modernize how riders interact with transit systems long term.
By integrating digital trip planning into core operational strategy — and collaborating across the broader mobility ecosystem — host cities can demonstrate global competence and secure a lasting legacy of effortless, user-friendly mobility.