Anyone who deals with ticketing and public transport cannot avoid the terms interoperability or seemless mobility. Because without interoperability - i.e. systems that work together - public transport cannot function.
That is why we are convinced:
If you want to make public transport more attractive, you have to ensure interoperability. And the best place to start is right on your doorstep.
What does interoperability actually mean?
Interoperability refers to the ability of different systems, technologies or organisations to work together. This is usually based on compliance with common standards. In the field of technology, interoperable systems are also called compatible.
Interoperability in public transport means that passengers can use different transport services with one ticket. For example, they can use their annual ticket to travel by train, suburban railway, a shared bike and the local tram. But it is also a prerequisite for cross-border transport that is as seamless as possible. Both from fare network to fare network and from federal state to federal state or across national borders.
This is why interoperability is an important goal of (((eTicket Deutschland.
Interoperability with (((eTicket Germany
Interoperable systems require standards. In this video, you can find out what role (((eTicket Deutschland plays in interoperability in German public transport.
How do passengers experience interoperability?
In local public transport, customers experience interoperability in every transport network in which they can use different transport systems with one ticket. In the context of electronic fare management, interoperability refers to the guarantee of both a continuous journey and individual journeys using the same application in the networks of all contractually integrated operators.
For passengers, this means that they can use their (((eTicket - within the area of validity - for all public transport services. Without interoperability, they would have to buy a new ticket for every means of transport on their journey. Even if they change from one bus line to another.
Best practice: This is what interoperability in RMV looks like
In the Rhein-Main Verkehrsverbund (RMV), anyone with an (((eTicket Deutschland chip card - regardless of the network - can buy electronic tickets at a ticket machine. Watch the video to see how it works.