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Fare Pricing – and its Benefits – are in Flux

|   Fare-Collection-Systems

Public transportation is constantly changing, so shouldn’t fares and policies also change?

During a presentation at IT-Trans 2024 Lucas Weinreich, our Director of Sales Operations, shared valuable insights on fare pricing and how an integrated, open fare system can pave the way for greener cities and more efficient transport networks.

 

Here are some key takeaways from his presentation:

Fares need to evolve.
Fare pricing is relatively static, but as travel habits and commuting patterns evolve, a one-size-fits-all approach no longer suits the changing landscape. Fare capping, for example, offers a more flexible solution by removing the barrier of high upfront costs associated with purchasing a pass in advance. Instead, it allows all passengers to enjoy the benefits of a pass product once they reach the fare equivalent of a daily, weekly, or monthly pass.

Fares need to be flexible.
Motorways congested again? Heavy rain arriving unexpectedly? By dynamically adjusting fares on days when other transit options, inclement weather, or crowded systems are affecting commutes, it’s possible to incentivise public transport use by reducing prices for frequent riders. And, an improved passenger experience is better for our client partners by helping to stabilise revenues. Flexible fares can have a significant impact on passenger behaviour by influencing their decision to use public transport, which not only helps passengers and our client partners but also, ultimately helps to create more climate-friendly cities.

Fares need to be simple.
Despite the increasing complexity of transit systems, fares must remain easy to understand and accessible for passengers. By continually monitoring and analysing travel patterns, the optimal fare can be automatically determined and applied, simplifying things for passengers.

Fare capping and approaches beyond that offer a fantastic opportunity to improve the passenger experience and to strengthen the public transport sector.

Let’s make it a reality – together.

     



    What is open payment?

    Open payment is one of the easiest ways to use public transport: Passengers tap their contactless credit or debit card or mobile wallet when they board and exit. No ticket selection, no registration, no app necessary. The system automatically calculates the price for all trips and journeys. It ensures that the lowest possible price is applied, according to the tariff rules, and that the payment process is performed automatically after the trip, without any trouble. 

    In an open payment system, the fare management system accepts and processes transactions made by contactless credit or debit cards or mobile wallets, which are based on international standards and universal technology. This method is also called open-loop. Closed-loop systems are limited to a specific provider and usually apply specific standards and proprietary technology. Modern fare management systems can combine closed-loop and open-loop options. 

     



    Learn more about Scheidt & Bachmann's open payment and account-based ticketing solutions and our open payment projects.

    As an active member of UITP's Urban Mobility Open Payment Forum, we aim to advance adoption of open loop payment systems in public transport across the globe.

    Continue the discussion on how to implement an open payment system and meet us at the following events:

    • APTA Tech, USA
    • Inno Trans, Germany
    • European Mobility Expo, France
    • CUTA Annual Conference & transit Show, Canada

    Frank Dohmen

    Human Resources

     

    Yvonne Kuzmanovic

    Human Resources
     

    jobs@scheidt-bachmann.de

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    Breite Str. 132
    41238 Mönchengladbach

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