
With Mastercard’s Transit Tales, Sydney commuters enjoy AI-powered, personalised stories that turn daily train rides into unique cultural experiences.
AI-powered stories for every commute
By combining artificial intelligence with real-time transit data, Transit Tales creates audio stories tailored to the exact duration of a commuter’s train ride. Passengers can choose from eight beloved classics, including The Great Gatsby, The Jungle Book, Romeo & Juliet, The Wizard of Oz, and Dracula. Each tale is then reimagined into unexpected genres such as Mystery Thriller, Dystopian Adventure, Superhero Saga, or Science Fiction.
Reimagining classics with creativity
Imagine Dracula retold as a futuristic sci-fi story on the journey from Bondi to Cronulla, or The Jungle Book reinvented as a thriller between Bankstown and Tempe. Each narration is unique, generated by AI, and ensures that no two listening experiences are ever the same. For inclusivity, every audio tale is also available in transcript format.
From stories to books
At the end of their ride, commuters are invited to purchase the original works in audiobook, transcript, or physical copy. This feature blends modern technology with timeless literature, turning the daily commute into an inspiring cultural journey.
Available across Sydney’s transit network
Now accessible to over 1.2 million daily travellers across Sydney’s train and metro systems, Mastercard’s Transit Tales represents a new era in digital out-of-home storytelling, combining branding, AI, and entertainment to enhance everyday life.
Why this campaign stands out
- Innovation: First AI-powered platform blending literature and transit data.
- Personalisation: Unique story experiences matched to trip duration.
- Inclusivity: Transcript versions ensure accessibility for all commuters.
- Engagement: Commuters finish the journey with options to buy the books.
- Scalability: A model that could be expanded globally across other metro systems.
Conclusion
With Transit Tales, Mastercard proves how technology can transform a routine commute into a cultural and emotional experience. By combining AI, literature, and transit data, the brand highlights its commitment to innovation, accessibility, and storytelling. For millions of Sydney commuters, every train ride now has the potential to become an adventure.