init innovation in traffic systems SE

Regulatory Filings • Feb 26, 2015

News Details

Corporate | 26 February 2015 14:04

init innovation in traffic systems AG: init to modernize ticketing system used in Bremen’s buses and trams

init innovation in traffic systems AG / Key word(s): Incoming Orders

2015-02-26 / 14:04

---

init innovation in traffic systems AG has won a new large-scale order. The world’s leading provider of integrated telematics and electronic fare collection systems is set to modernise the ticketing system used in the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen. By the end of 2017, more than 330 vehicles, three customer centres, 150 sales points and the larger bus and tram stops will be equipped with electronic printers, a boarding control system and mobile and stationary ticket machines. Furthermore, a new point-of-sale system will be implemented in the customer centres. For the more than 105 million passengers that BSAG keeps moving every year, these solutions will make paying for tickets even easier and more convenient, while the affiliated transport companies can enhance the efficiency of their back-office systems at the same time. The order is worth several million euros, and work is expected to start on installing the necessary equipment in autumn 2015.

Increasing numbers of transport services in Germany are recognising the need to upgrade their passenger ticket service to the very latest technology. The Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, with Bremer Straßenbahn AG (BSAG) as the company that runs the city’s local public transport (LPT), has always been counted among the pioneers in this field. Indeed, BSAG was one of the first companies in Germany to introduce a card-based e-ticketing system back in 2001, thereby implementing a solution that allowed passengers to purchase tickets without cash using their GeldKarte stored-value card issued by banks that are part of the DK (German Banking Industry Committee). In 2005, this system was expanded to include an account-based process for subsequent settlement. The offering, known as BOB (“Bequem ohne Bargeld”), gives passengers a best price guarantee. BOB is a product provided jointly by the members of the Verkehrsverbund Bremen-Niedersachsen (VBN) public transport association. Once a passenger has registered, they simply have to enter where they would like to travel to on the on-board passenger terminal and they then receive a ticket. At the end of the month, they are billed for the best day-ticket fare. There’s also a solution tailored to subscription customers in the form of the contactless MIA (“Mobil im Abo”) card, which can be checked with the new boarding control system, for example. BSAG opting for the same provider again means that the new equipment can be introduced gradually as desired, that existing and new technology can be operated in parallel and that complete sales statistics are provided. The first-generation customer terminals, ticket machines, ticket printers and sales points whether on-board or in the sales offices are now being replaced by state-of-the-art devices that are even more convenient. In total, around 400 EVENDpc ticket printers and more than 250 PROXmobil customer terminals will be used in BSAG’s approximately 210 buses. As a result, boarding control checks, which are now widespread, will be possible in Bremen’s buses too. Trams and buses are being equipped with more than 500 mobile customer terminals for the electronic BOB ticket which is established in Bremen. New mobile ticket machines, where passengers can buy a paper ticket and pay using cash or the cashless option, are also being deployed in the trams. The tried-and-tested distribution channels are being expanded to include 20 stationary ticket machines offering a variety of payment options at stops with high passenger numbers. This will allow each and every BSAG passenger – whether they’re a regular customer, an occasional user or a tourist – to find the ticket purchase option that suits them best at all times. The smart cards will also be replaced during the course of this project, with a view to using the established contactless write/read technology, which considerably cuts transaction times. This will not only make it easier to perform checks, but also shorten boarding and alighting times and enable buses and trams to run more punctually.

The new ticketing system will be managed at a central location by the MOBILEvario background system. Its wide range of functions and outstanding operability make it one of the most sought-after systems on the market. This software solution organises the various fares, serves contract customers, manages the accounts belonging to the various sales offices and handles the clearing of payments.

“Bremen and BSAG are therefore again at the forefront of technological development in Germany with respect to passenger-friendly ticketing. For us, the fact that we have been awarded yet another contract by a long-standing customer such as BSAG confirms both our excellent customer relationship and our competitiveness. Smart ticketing solutions such as those being implemented here also harbour a great deal of potential in the international arena,” explains init CSO Dr Jürgen Greschner.

About BSAG

With around 330 vehicles, Bremer Straßenbahn AG keeps Bremen moving every day with modern trams and buses.

BSAG carries almost 300,000 people per day comfortably, punctually and safely both within the city and in neighbouring Lower Saxony. Almost 2,000 employees work day and night to ensure this.

In statistical terms, every inhabitant of Bremen travels by bus or tram 188 times per year, with more than 105 million passengers in total being carried each year. BSAG is continually improving both the range of solutions it offers and its service quality, with a view to increasing this number further. The company is well aware of its responsibility with regard to the key issues of the future. It is helping to further expand infrastructure within Bremen and in the surrounding area and is also promoting the development of new drive technologies, to name but one example.

About init

As worldwide leading supplier of integrated ITS, planning, dispatching and ticketing systems for buses and trains, init has been assisting transport companies in making public transport more attractive, faster and more efficient for more than 30 years. Today, more than 400 customers rely on our innovative hard- and software solutions.

USP of init’s integrated telematics system MOBILE is, that it comprises all daily tasks of public transport providers:

– Planning & Dispatching

– Operations Control & Real-Time Passenger Information

– Ticketing & Fare Management

– Analysing & Optimising

This creates a solution covering the complete production process of public transport. For more efficiency and enhanced service quality.

init products are recognized for their state-of-the-art technology and can be deployed stand alone or integrated into an intelligent overall system tailor-made for the specific needs of the individual customer. Also a step-by-step extension of the system is possible.

---

2015-02-26 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP – a service of EQS Group AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de

---

Language:	English
Company:	init innovation in traffic systems AG
	Käppelestraße 4-6
	76131 Karlsruhe
	Germany
Phone:	+49 (0)721 6100 0
Fax:	+49 (0)721 6100 399
E-mail:	ir@initag.de
Internet:	www.initag.de
ISIN:	DE0005759807
WKN:	575980
Listed:	Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart

End of News	DGAP News-Service

- - -
327345  2015-02-26