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One Year with FAIRTIQ in Zlín Region

A case study in seamless travel, happy users and sustainable success.

One year ago, the Zlín Region in Czechia became FAIRTIQ’s first partner in Central Europe. Today, with over half a million trips made since launch, it’s safe to say the results speak for themselves. But beyond the numbers lies a deeper story: one of collaboration, trust, and a community of travellers embracing a better way to move.

This anniversary is more than a milestone – it’s an invitation for other regions to imagine what’s possible when technology and public transport work hand in hand.

Zlin phone start screen-1

Half a million trips and counting

FAIRTIQ launched in the Zlín Region on 1 July 2024. Within just four weeks, the app had already seen 6’400 downloads and over 10’000 recorded trips – rapid adoption by any standard. Since then, momentum has only built: One year after launch, the region has powered more than 540 000 trips with just one swipe in the FAIRTIQ app.

Screenshot 2025-06-30 at 16.32.40

Cumulative number of FAIRTIQ trips in Zlín Region since the public launch in July 2024 (per end of June 2025)

Drivers of Success: Satisfaction, Modal Shift and Digital Adoption

Behind every successful rollout is more than just a download or journey count. In Zlín, it’s the lived experiences of thousands of travellers that explain the staying power of FAIRTIQ. A user survey conducted after one year* offers valuable insights into why the solution works – and what makes it sustainable.

*survey conducted among 440 FAIRTIQ users in Zlín Region in June 2025

Exceptional Satisfaction

FAIRTIQ’s usability and reliability scored extremely high among Zlín users:

9.5/10

average rating for overall satisfaction

9.7/10

average rating for how FAIRTIQ simplifies travel

9.3/10

for fare calculation transparency

The comments speak for themselves. One user shared:

user_"Travelling with FAIRTIQ is so great, I sometimes forget to end the trip. All the stress is gone… I ride like royalty."

Modal Shift: From Cars to Public Transport

The data shows that FAIRTIQ isn’t just replacing old ticketing methods – it’s actively growing public transport usage:

IC30 -  Passion

15.1%

of respondents now use public transport much more often

IC02 - Class Upgrade

24.1%

report using it a little more often

IC32 - Sustainability (1)

21.1%

say they use their private care less often since switching to FAIRTIQ

This modal shift highlights the role of convenience and trust in encouraging sustainable choices.

Zlin bus FAIRTQ ad-1

Digital Shift: From Machines to Mobile

Prior to FAIRTIQ’s launch, over half of passengers bought tickets from vending machines, while many still relied on cash payments to drivers. One year in, that dynamic has flipped:

84.8%

say buying a ticket through FAIRTIQ is much better than their previous method

 

 

As one traveller put it:

user_ "The stress of using a machine that often didn’t accept coins is gone… Now I just hop on and start the app."

The FAIRTIQ Effect: Before and After

Before FAIRTIQ, public transport in the Zlín Region was marked by different transportation systems, hardware-based sales, and limited one-ticket transfer options. Travellers had to buy separate tickets for local buses, regional buses and trains – often paying more than necessary due to system gaps.

FAIRTIQ simplified all of that. One swipe in the app activates the region’s Next Generation Tariff – a single, transparent fare regardless of mode, operator, or number of transfers. No ticket zones, no guesswork. It’s not just convenience; it’s confidence:

user_-1"I don’t worry about tickets anymore. It couldn’t be simpler."

A Model for Other Regions

For public transport authorities and operators facing similar challenges – fragmented systems, fare complexity, or low ridership – Zlín Region offers a proven pathway:

Clever

Adoption can be swift

IC28 - Respect (1)

Satisfaction can be high

IC35 -  Corporate Travel-2

And travel can become second nature again

Zlín’s success was made possible by a shared ambition across stakeholders and by building on existing efforts. The regional authority, Zlín Region Integrated Transportation (KOVED) had already laid the groundwork for an integrated fare system. What they needed was a fast, flexible tool to deliver it – without costly hardware or multi-year deployments.

FAIRTIQ filled that role, providing an MPAYG solution that turned plans into action in under a year. As a result, two additional operators joined the integrated fare system, and the groundwork is now set for bike tickets and more.

As one enthusiastic user summed it up:

user_"FAIRTIQ is great! I wish it worked across the whole country!"

Twelve months in, the Zlín Region has shown what’s possible when ambition meets usability. Public transport doesn’t need to be complicated to be effective – and FAIRTIQ’s journey here is only just beginning.

If you’re a mobility leader looking to reduce friction, encourage modal shift and build a digital-ready passenger base – Zlín Region can be your blueprint.

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