Ticino: Cashless Tickets on Public Transport (cross-border guide)

Di Valerie Linc · Published on

From 2027, ticket machines will disappear and be replaced by new digital distributors that only accept credit or debit cards.

Contesto

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 ch...

Dettagli operativi

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 dis...

Punti chiave

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. To calculate your net salary and discover how to best use available resources, use our salary calculator. 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

Punti chiave

[{"q":"When will the new equipment be installed to buy public transport tickets in Ticino?","a":"By 30 June 2024, with the aim of reducing electronic waste and increasing efficiency."},{"q":"How many tickets can be purchased with the Ticino Card at most?","a":"The Ticino Card can be recharged up to a maximum of 100 francs, without specific limits on the number of tickets available within this limit."},{"q":"How can I recharge the Ticino Card if I live in Italy?","a":"The Ticino Cards can be recharged in Italy at the agreed tobacco shops, stores and mobile app available on iOS and Android. You can also charge online with SEPA transfer or credit card, with instant credit and a maximum limit of 100 francs."},{"q":"What are the fees for using credit cards on new vending machines on buses?","a":"Credit or debit card transactions on the new vending machines on board the buses do not involve additional fees for the passenger; The cost is equal to the value of the ticket. Only international prepaid cards can incur a small fee of CHF 1.00, while Swiss and Italian cards are exempt."}]

Frequently Asked Questions
When will the new equipment be installed to buy public transport tickets in Ticino?
By 30 June 2024, with the aim of reducing electronic waste and increasing efficiency.
How many tickets can be purchased with the Ticino Card at most?
The Ticino Card can be recharged up to a maximum of 100 francs, without specific limits on the number of tickets available within this limit.
How can I recharge the Ticino Card if I live in Italy?
The Ticino Cards can be recharged in Italy at the agreed tobacco shops, stores and mobile app available on iOS and Android. You can also charge online with SEPA transfer or credit card, with instant credit and a maximum limit of 100 francs.
What are the fees for using credit cards on new vending machines on buses?
Credit or debit card transactions on the new vending machines on board the buses do not involve additional fees for the passenger; The cost is equal to the value of the ticket. Only international prepaid cards can incur a small fee of CHF 1.00, while Swiss and Italian cards are exempt.

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