SwissPass
Julia hands her SwissPass to the inspector. He holds the handy red card up to his reader to read the chip embedded in the card. It beeps, and the inspector sees on his screen that Julia has a valid GA travelcard stored on her account. The SwissPass can be read without contact. Technically, it works just like the turnstile at a ski lift, where the SwissPass also works if you have stored a ski pass in the system. Later in the day, Julia will also rent a PubliBike with her SwissPass.
This may be a dream for the future, but the future isn't far off: the public transport sector is introducing the SwissPass in the summer of 2015. In the first phase, you will be able to save your GA or half-fare travelcard on the account associated with the card. Because the new mobility card cannot be visually inspected by drivers, the transport company will have to use electronic devices. Drivers are therefore being equipped with rugged smartphones. These mobile devices will also be used in the future for other applications in the vehicle. PostBus will also offer the devices, the inspection software for the SwissPass and the operation of the inspection solution to other transport companies.
As part of its system services, PostBus is developing and marketing numerous similar pioneering technologies for public transport, including an automatic passenger counting system, SMS tickets and the electronic timetable display DynPaper. For SwissPass, the modular range of services begins with expert advice. Where required, PostBus also procures the hardware, such as mobile readers, sets it up, operates the software and systems in the background, and handles payment collection. With training and support, PostBus passes its knowledge directly to the employees of other transport companies.