Ticino: Cashless Tickets on Public Transport

Context

TL;DR

• Ticino eliminates ticket machines on public transport
• 70% of tickets purchased digitally in 2022
• New devices on buses for cashless payments
• Ticino Card introduced for cash payments

Key facts

• Decision makers: Association of Traffic and Environment (ATA) and eight Ticino public transport companies
• Digital tickets: 70% of tickets purchased digitally in 2022, up 20% from 2020
• New devices: Installed on buses by June 30, 2024 for credit/debit card payments
• Cost savings: Reduction of 200,000 francs per year in maintenance and management costs
• Ticino Card: Rechargeable value card for cash payments, initial value of 10 francs, max 100 francs
• Ticket machines: Reduced from 500 to 30 at major interchange nodes
• Assisted sales: Continued cash payment option at major stops like Lugano and Bellinzona
• Federal regulation: Effective January 1, 2022, mandates electronic payment options but allows cash payments

Ticino: Cashless Tickets on Public Transport

The decision to eliminate ticket machines on public transport in Ticino was made by the Association of Traffic and Environment (ATA) and the eight Ticino public transport companies, including AutoPostale, TPL, and FART. The goal is to adapt to customer habits and use available resources more efficiently.

According to Alex Malinverno, spokesperson for the Consortium of Ticino Public Transport Companies, 'the new devices will be installed directly on buses and will allow passengers to purchase a range of tickets using credit or debit cards.' This choice follows an established trend: more and more travelers are buying transport tickets in digital format, through applications or other electronic channels.

Based on statistics provided by AutoPostale, in 2022, 70% of tickets were purchased through digital channels, with a 20% increase compared to 2020. This trend was also recorded by other Ticino public transport companies, such as TPL, which saw a 30% increase in digital ticket purchases in 2022 compared to the previous year.

The decision to eliminate ticket machines was also made in consideration of the Cantonal Waste Management Regulation, which aims to reduce electronic and electrical waste. According to the Cantonal Law of October 24, 2012, on waste management, public entities and companies must adopt measures to reduce the amount of waste produced.

Furthermore, the installation of new devices on buses will reduce maintenance and management costs, which amounted to around 200,000 francs per year. These funds can be reinvested to improve public transport services in Ticino.

Travelers will be able to purchase tickets with credit or debit cards directly on buses, without having to use cash. This system has already been successfully tested in some Ticino municipalities, such as Lugano and Bellinzona, where an increase in public transport use was recorded.

To ensure a smooth transition, the Ticino public transport companies have prepared an operational checklist for the installation of new devices:

• Installation of new devices on buses by June 30, 2024
• Training of onboard staff on the use of new devices
• Information to travelers on the new ticket purchase method
• Verification of the functionality of new devices and resolution of any issues

Operational details

Ticino: Cashless Tickets on Public Transport

The decision to eliminate ticket machines on public transport in Ticino has raised some concerns. According to the Association of Traffic and Environment (ATA), the risk is that some users may encounter difficulties. 'It is essential to maintain the possibility of purchasing a ticket without a card, especially for younger people and some elderly individuals,' notes National Councilor and ATA Ticino President Bruno Storni.

For example, in Lugano, where 30% of the population is over 65, the elimination of ticket machines could create problems for seniors who are not familiar with digital technologies. Similarly, in Chiasso, where 20% of the population is under 18, the absence of ticket machines could make it difficult for students to purchase tickets.

To address this issue, transport companies are studying the introduction of a rechargeable value card that can be purchased in cash at served sales points and then used on new digital distributors. This card, called the 'Ticino Card,' would have an initial value of 10 francs and could be recharged up to a maximum of 100 francs.

The Ticino Card would be a practical solution for users who do not have access to credit cards or prefer to pay in cash. Additionally, the card could be used to purchase tickets for multiple people, such as a family or group of friends.

According to federal regulations effective January 1, 2022, transport companies must offer passengers the option to purchase tickets using electronic payment methods. However, the regulations do not exclude the possibility of offering cash payment options.

To ensure a smooth transition, transport companies are working on an operational checklist for the introduction of the Ticino Card:

• Installation of new digital distributors at served sales points
• Training of staff on new payment systems
• Communication to passengers on new payment options
• Monitoring of the situation to ensure that there are no technical or other issues

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Key points

Ticino: Cashless Tickets on Public Transport

The reorganization will also change the presence of ticket machines at stops: from around 500 current machines to about 30, concentrated mainly at major interchange nodes such as Lugano, Bellinzona, and Locarno. Meanwhile, assisted sales points will continue to offer the possibility of purchasing tickets and subscriptions in cash.

According to data provided by Ticino News, in 2022, over 1.5 million tickets were sold on Ticino public transport, with a turnover of around 30 million francs. Most tickets were purchased using electronic payment methods, but a significant proportion was still paid in cash.

The decision to reduce the number of ticket machines at stops was made to optimize costs and improve service efficiency. However, this could create difficulties for some users, such as seniors or those without access to electronic payment methods.

To mitigate this impact, the Ticino public transport company has announced that it will be possible to purchase tickets and subscriptions at assisted sales points, such as the Lugano and Bellinzona stations, where it will be possible to pay in cash. Additionally, it will be possible to use the mobile payment service to purchase tickets and subscriptions directly from a smartphone.

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Operational Checklist:

• Verify the availability of ticket machines at main stops
• Use the mobile payment service to purchase tickets and subscriptions
• Visit assisted sales points to purchase tickets and subscriptions in cash
• Check the validity of purchased tickets and subscriptions