Bern – December 6, 2024 – The future of cross-border ticketing is being tested between Cologne, Aachen, and Maastricht. For the first time, German and Dutch fare zones are integrated, allowing seamless access through a single app with a convenient check-in/check-out system. FAIRTIQ powers key features of the glimble by Arriva app, making cross-border travel easier than ever.
Cross-border ticketing systems present significant challenges, such as ensuring interoperability of fare systems, accommodating different fare structures, managing possible currency differences, achieving system compatibility, and establishing revenue-sharing agreements. To address these complexities, Dutch public transport company Arriva has partnered with FAIRTIQ to deliver effective solutions.
Passengers traveling between Maastricht, Aachen, and Cologne can now enjoy seamless cross-border journeys with a unified electronic fare using the check-in/check-out feature on the Glimble app by Arriva. The app automatically calculates the best price by combining German and Dutch fare modules, detecting when passengers cross borders and seamlessly switching between fare systems. With this feature, travelers can seamlessly generate cross-border and multi-tariff zone tickets directly through the app, simplifying international journeys like never before.
FAIRTIQ contributes a key part of the solution with journey mapping and seamless barcode creation. Passengers download the Glimble app, start it with one swipe at the departure station and receive a valid ticket (QR code) without having to enter their destination. When changing trains or buses, the app automatically recognises the change and continues to monitor the journey. When the passenger arrives at the destination, they simply swipe to end the journey. If they forget, the app sends a notification or automatically ends the journey. The best available fare is then automatically calculated, and optimised on a daily basis.
Gian-Mattia Schucan, CEO of FAIRTIQ, stated, "Cross-border ticketing presents challenges not only for passengers but also from a technical standpoint. We are proud to have collaborated with Arriva to develop a solution that makes sustainable cross-border mobility easy for everyone."
FAIRTIQ already provides cross-border solutions within single tariff zones, such as the Swiss zone extending to Annemasse (France), Domodossola (Italy), or Konstanz (Germany). The Arriva Glimble project paves the way for more complex cross-border ticketing—not just between countries, but also across different tariff zones.
About FAIRTIQ
With over 200 million trips completed, FAIRTIQ has established itself as the global leader and pioneer in postpaid ticketing and mobile pay-as-you-go (MPAYG) solutions. Serving more than 1 million active users each month, FAIRTIQ operates currently in eight countries—Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. The platform provides regional coverage in 25 areas and national coverage in four, making public transport more accessible and user-friendly. Leading public transport operators and authorities rely on the FAIRTIQ solution - for instance, the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) integrates FAIRTIQ’s technology within its own app under the name EasyRide. FAIRTIQ’s rapid international expansion continues to attract new users worldwide.
How does FAIRTIQ work
Passengers download the app, start it with one swipe before entering the means of transport and receive a valid ticket without having to enter their destination. When changing trains or buses, the app automatically recognises the change and continues to monitor the journey. When the passenger arrives at the destination, they simply swipe to end the journey. If they forget, the app sends a notification or automatically ends the journey. The best available fare is then automatically calculated, and optimised on a daily basis.