Process Requirements

The calculation of the fare depends on the number of zones of the transport network crossed during a trip. The goal is to calculate the fare at the end of the trip and eliminate the need for manual ticketing. This requires accurate tracking and recording of the trip route from the beginning of the trip and the stop of recording at the end of the trip. Due to the arrangement of public transport in an intermodal system, the functionality of the recording must also be guaranteed when changing the means of transport.

Objectives of the TIP

• Precise tracking of trips from beginning to end in the public transport network
• Automatic fare calculation
• To guarantee functionality of the mobile ticket in all means of transport
• Simplification of ticket purchasing

The TIP Solution

A mobile ticketing solution including an app, NFC-enabled ticketing terminals and BLE beacons has been deployed in the Porto metropolitan region to track trips in public transportation and to calculate fares.

Customers download the app ANDA on an NFC and BLE-enabled smartphone prior to their trip. At the start of every trip, the smartphone is tapped against an NFC terminal, for example in a train station. The beginning of a new trip is recorded in the app.

BLE beacons are deployed at train stations as well as in buses. During the trip, the smartphone communicates with the BLE beacons using the active Bluetooth function. Every stop is recorded using the Micro-Location System and displayed in the app.

At the end of the trip, the smartphone is no longer in range of the BLE beacons. The recording of the trip ends automatically. An algorithm is used to calculate the fare depending on the number of travel zones crossed.

Customers are able to view their travel history as well as the fares in the app. Billing is conducted monthly. If the total fare of the individual trips exceeds that of a monthly transport pass, the fare for a monthly pass is invoiced instead.

Hardware & Software

• ANDA-App
• BLE Beacons
• NFC Ticketing Terminals

Advantages

• Precise tracking of trips from beginning to end in the public transport network
• Automatic fare calculation
• To guarantee functionality of the mobile ticket in all means of transport
• Simplification of ticket purchasing

Learn More

Questions? Get in contact with the editorial team!