The widespread integration of NFC technology into consumer mobile phones will allow travelers to purchase or top up transport tickets, at any time, from the online SNCF portal. Travelers who buy pre-paid tickets will also be able to check how many tickets they have remaining. This new service enabling online purchases, in addition to the existing ticket offices and ticket machines, gives travelers greater freedom and flexibility.
The transport ticket carrying the rights to use the public transport network is stored in the SIM card of the NFC mobile phone. It is used in exactly the same way as any other contactless transport ticket; travelers simply swipe their handset over a reader to open the gates. Similarly, travelers only need to present their phone to the ticket inspector, who checks the ticket validity.
This new service is the result of a project run jointly by the SNCF Proximités Innovation and Technologies Pole, the SNCF subsidiary RITMx, an expert in ticketing distribution solutions, and Gemalto, the world leader in digital security.
The project is based on Gemalto’s Trusted Services Management (TSM) dedicated offering of solutions and services. They enable the secure and convenient deployment of day-to-day applications such as transport and payment via a contactless mobile phone. Gemalto’s solution offers secure services for downloading and customizing the Calypso application, which provides a host of functionalities in the phone’s SIM card, such as incorporating transport ticketing. Gemalto also provides the user interface that allows travelers to view and download tickets onto their phones from the RITMx server.
SNCF is considering offering a bundle of transport-related services on NFC-enabled phones, including ticket purchase and top-up, balance checking, real-time access to travel news and the use of tags (intelligent labels), etc. Phones may eventually become a channel for topping up contactless tickets.
According to Jean-Pierre Farandou, Managing Director, SNCF Proximités: “Developing new generation services that are simple and offer added value will help make daily journeys easier. Our ambition is to support transport authorities in this proactive approach to continually improve public transports.”
“Gemalto is proud to be working with SNCF to offer travelers a modern and convenient way of accessing trains using their mobile phone,” said Rémi De Fouchier, Senior Vice President Trusted Services Management at Gemalto. “Gemalto has already carried out over 25 NFC mobile services pilot programs across the world and we are poised for a large-scale roll-out of this new service for travelers, in partnership with SNCF.”
About SNCF Proximités
SNCF Proximités is one of SNCF’s fives branches. It operates the TER, Transilien, Intercités, Les Chemins de Fer de la Corse services as well as EFFIA (intermodality management) and Keolis (European urban and inter-urban public transport operator). As a partner to local authorities, SNCF Proximités offers a range of efficient and innovative solutions for every stage of the journey, covering travel preparation, information, ticketing, parking, and multi-modal travel: trains, trams-trains, metro, urban bus, tramways, bicycles, cars, etc.
SNCF Proximités is innovation-driven and offers a range of solutions designed specifically to address the needs of its customers.
The Innovation and Technologies Pole designs new media and distribution channels for inter-modal ticketing solutions that aim to make life easier for public transport users.
SNCF Proximités works hand-in-hand with delegated authorities to ensure the regional roll-out of its ticketing solutions, which are already in place in 13 regions. SNCF Proximités also offers wide-ranging expertise in marketing, communications and consultancy services designed to assist local authorities in their missions.
About Gemalto
Gemalto (Euronext NL 0000400653 GTO) is the world leader in digital security with 2008 annual revenues of €1.68 billion, and 10,000 employees operating out of 75 offices, research and service centers in 40 countries.
Gemalto is at the heart of our evolving digital society. The freedom to communicate, travel, shop, bank, entertain, and work—anytime, anywhere—has become an integral part of what people want and expect, in ways that are convenient, enjoyable and secure.
Gemalto delivers on the growing demands of billions of people worldwide for mobile connectivity, identity and data protection, credit card safety, health and transportation services, e-government and national security. We do this by supplying to governments, wireless operators, banks and enterprises a wide range of secure personal devices, such as subscriber identification modules (SIM), Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) in mobile phones, smart banking cards, smart card access badges, electronic passports, and USB tokens for online identity protection. To complete the solution we also provide software, systems and services to help our customers achieve their goals.
As the use of Gemalto’s software and secure devices increases with the number of people interacting in the digital and wireless world, the company is poised to thrive over the coming years.
For more information please visit www.gemalto.com.
About RITMx
Set up in September 2008, RITMx specializes in the design and integration of ticketing distribution solutions, enabling purchase and top up of pre-paid transport tickets in France and abroad.
RITMx offers a centralized system that is multi-service (rail, bus and parking), multi-channel (ticket machines, internet, mobile phones and ticket offices), multi-media (ISO tickets, smart cards, USB keys and contactless mobile telephony) and multi-distributor (sale via transport operators or accredited third parties), and multilingual.
RITMx’s clients are primarily French local authorities (regions, departments, boroughs, cities) and public transport professionals.
