Revolutionizing Public Transport: KOVED and FAIRTIQ Fast-Track the Zlín Region’s Seamless Ticketing System
FAIRTIQ’s first partnership in Czechia is already a tremendous success
Following the introduction of the FAIRTIQ app in the Zlín Region on July 1, 2024, remarkable success has been achieved. In just the first month, the app was downloaded over 6,400 times in the region, by travellers of all ages eagerly embracing this new technology. Within the initial 4 weeks, over 10,000 trips were recorded, showcasing the immediate and widespread interest and adoption of FAIRTIQ. This rapid success has not only exceeded initial expectations but also demonstrated the region’s readiness and excitement for the FAIRTIQ technology.
Cumulative FAIRTIQ downloads in the region of Zlín, July 2024
The Zlín region in the south-east corner of Czechia is the first area in Central and Eastern Europe to implement FAIRTIQ's mobile pay-as-you-go (MPAYG) ticketing solution for public transport. The successful take-off is the result of the commitment of KOVED, the Zlín Region Public Transport Authority with strong support by the region’s elected officials. The official launch was accompanied by an extensive offline campaign, including billboards and posters across the region, to raise awareness for the new, innovative ticketing solution.
"Our goal is to make the fare structure and ticketing rules as user-friendly as possible.” Jakub Zach, Chairman of the Transport Committee, Zlín Region
FAIRTIQ’s Role in Revolutionizing the Zlín Region’s Public Transport Fare Structure
Since January 2021, KOVED has been developing Zlín Region Integrated Transport (IDZK) to become a more seamless and integrated network, by integrating the region’s various public transport operators to make travelling faster, easier and more comfortable. Thanks to KOVED's team of thirty dedicated experts, much has already been achieved. But when KOVED set out to overhaul the previously fragmented ticketing system, its ambitions were in danger of being thwarted by the reality of traditional ticketing hardware and software vendors who, as Jakub Zach puts it, "were not flexible enough to meet the needs of transport authorities".
"The basis for full integration is the Next Generation Tariff. Thanks to FAIRTIQ, we were able to bring this tariff structure to our passengers in record time.” Radek doleŽel, deputy governor for transport
The new fare structure for the IDZK is called the Next Generation Tariff. It includes fixed prices from A to B without any differentiation by mode, number of transfers or operator. However, implementing this innovative tariff in the traditional distribution channels is expensive and takes years – too long for KOVED and IDZK and their ambitious plan to fast-forward Zlín's public transport system into the future. Deputy Governor for Transport Radek Doležel and his team searched for a solution and selected FAIRTIQ in the fall of 2023 to provide a fully digital check-in system for seamless multimodal public transport throughout the region. FAIRTIQ welcomed the opportunity to support KOVED, as their plans align with our vision to simplify sustainable mobility internationally.
“IDZK turned out to be the perfect partner for FAIRTIQ's expansion into CEE. They were in the process of finalising a brand new, integrated fare structure encompassing all public transport services across the region. FAIRTIQ was able to support IDZK to launch this new fare structure as early as mid-2024.”
ANTOINE BELAIEFF, LEAD NEW MARKETS AT FAIRTIQ
Cumulative FAIRTIQ trips in the region of Zlín, July 2024
Professionalism Meets Humanity
Before the actual start of the collaboration, FAIRTIQ meticulously studied the new fare structure to ensure that the right solution could be delivered at the right time and price. From the very beginning, FAIRTIQ and KOVED worked closely together. With a tight implementation schedule, there was really no alternative to a fully integrated, hands-on collaboration.
“We swiftly integrated the entire IDZK team into our corporate project management and communication tools. These shared platforms foster seamless communication and ensure the timely completion of each project milestone.” Antoine Belaieff, Lead New Markets at FAIRTIQ
The intensive cooperation proved incredibly fruitful, thanks to the IDZK team’s deep professional knowledge, goal-oriented behaviour and strong commitment to project success. In turn, Jakub Zach was deeply impressed by FAIRTIQs project management.
"I cannot stress enough how professional FAIRTIQ's project management is, but the whole communication was also very human." Martin Štětkář, Managing Director, Public Transport Coordinator of the Zlín Region
FAIRTIQ App Launches New Generation Tariff, Paving the Way for Future Innovations in the Zlín Region
Following the launch of the FAIRTIQ App in July 2024, the New Generation Tariff is now available to all app users in the region. The transition in classic sales channels requires additional procurement and development and will therefore not be completed until the end of 2025. The successful launch of the New Generation Tariff in the FAIRTIQ App is, however, only the beginning.
“In the upcoming phases of the project we would like to take advantage of some of the more advanced features of FAIRTIQ: namely the pairing with existing zone subscriptions, transporting bicycles or first-class ticket supplements.” Jakub Zach, Chairman of the Transport Committee, Zlín Region
The Zlín Region Sets New Standards with FAIRTIQ’s Cutting-Edge Ticketing and Revenue Sharing
“Switching between tariff boundaries of regions is currently one of the biggest challenges for public transport in Czechia. FAIRTIQ is without exaggeration the most powerful tool on the market to combat this challenge."Jakub Zach, Chairman of the Transport Committee, Zlín Region
The FAIRTIQ team is up for the challenge. Regions that have already established an authority and created a multimodal fare table - or are in the process of doing so - can partner with FAIRTIQ to offer their passengers an easy-to-use mobile PAYG solution. In the absence of integrated tariffs, FAIRTIQ can accelerate the seamless travel experience by enabling Check-in/Check-out across all modes and offering individual ticket purchases.
“This vision extends beyond the Zlín Region. We hope that other CEE regions and authorities consider FAIRTIQ to transform their integrated public transport aspirations into reality.” Antoine Belaieff, Lead New Markets at FAIRTIQ
FAIRTIQ is excited about the prospect of continuing its successful collaboration with KOVED and IDZK in Zlín and building more partnerships in the Czech Republic and beyond - for stronger, more attractive public transport systems that provide seamlessly integrated, fair-priced travel for all passengers – east, north, south, and west.
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