A mobile-first national ticketing system designed for everyone

Rejsekort & Rejseplan A/S has been nominated for two Transport Ticketing Global Awards: ‘National Integrated Ticketing’ and ‘Best Equity & Inclusion Initiative’. The nominations recognise the transformation of Denmark’s public transport ticketing system through the new Rejsekort app, developed with FAIRTIQ’s mobile pay-as-you-go (MPAYG) technology.

At the heart of the initiative lies a clear ambition. Create a national ticketing system that is simple, digital and accessible for everyone.

A national system ready for renewal

Rejsekort has long been the backbone of ticketing across Denmark’s buses, trains, metros and light rail. However, the existing smartcard-based system was reaching the end of its technical lifecycle.

Passengers faced practical challenges, from needing to remember to tap out to avoid fines to navigating multiple regional ticketing apps. At the same time, replacing nationwide hardware infrastructure would have been complex and costly.

Rejsekort therefore chose a different path. A mobile-first national ticketing platform that could simplify travel while remaining flexible for the future.

One account for travel across the country

The result is the Rejsekort app, a nationwide ticketing solution powered by FAIRTIQ.

Passengers simply start and end their journey with one swipe in the app. The system automatically calculates the correct fare, removing the need to select tickets or navigate complex tariff structures.

Choosing a software-based solution allowed Rejsekort to move quickly. The new national app was launched within six months of contract signature, on time and on budget. Because the new app system does not rely on costly hardware, updates and new features can be introduced rapidly and cost-effectively.

Designing inclusion from the start

From the beginning, accessibility was a core design principle.

The Rejsekort app includes features such as screen reader compatibility and simplified navigation for passengers with limited hand motor skills. Discounts for children, pensioners and travellers with disabilities are automatically applied.

At the same time, Rejsekort recognises that digital inclusion means offering choice. Around 10 percent of passengers either prefer not to use smartphones or do not have access to one.

For this group, Rejsekort is introducing Basic Card, a card-based pay-as-you-go solution operating on the same backend as the app. This ensures that the national system remains mobile-first, but accessible for all.

Strong adoption across Denmark

The results show that this approach resonates with passengers.

Since launch, the Rejsekort app has enabled more than 60 million trips and reached over 50 percent market share within 18 months. Today, around 945,000 passengers use the app every month, and 90 percent say it makes public transport easier to use.

Just as importantly, the new app system was delivered for half the cost of replacing the previous hardware-intensive infrastructure.

A national blueprint for accessible ticketing

Rejsekort’s approach demonstrates that nationwide integrated ticketing can be both digital and inclusive.

By combining a mobile-first platform with alternative access options, Denmark is creating a ticketing system that works across the entire network and for every passenger.