No more change
September 27, 2007
The Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (transportation network) has launched its mobile phone ticketing solution. Three-hundred customers are currently testing the new technology that the transportation network developed together with T-Systems and Nokia. Jörg Wilhelm can now buy his ticket within seconds.
Jörg Wilhelm, 61, had a bad experience when he was at the Frankfurt Fairgrounds subway station one night. After his colleague had already taken off in his car, the computer engineer realized, "I didn't have any change for the ride home."
Mr. Wilhelm had to walk for miles, got himself a cup of coffee and got his change. Not a permanent solution. Mr. Wilhelm says, "The next day, I signed up with the RMV mobile phone ticketing right away. I also signed up for the ConTag test run." After the first seven weeks, he summarizes, "The mobile phone ticket by T-Systems works perfectly. I'm truly impressed.“
Mr. Wilhelm had to walk for miles, got himself a cup of coffee and got his change. Not a permanent solution. Mr. Wilhelm says, "The next day, I signed up with the RMV mobile phone ticketing right away. I also signed up for the ConTag test run." After the first seven weeks, he summarizes, "The mobile phone ticket by T-Systems works perfectly. I'm truly impressed.“
Fast and easy
He adds that the process is "fast and easy" due to Near Field Communication with which users only need to touch a passive radio chip, also called ConTag, with their Nokia test mobile phone at the station. The software recognizes the user's location and the user can select his ticket. In just seconds. A ticket, which looks a lot like the printed version, then appears on his display. Mr. Wilhelm gets a lot of surprised and interested looks when he buys his ticket. "The first time, the ticket inspector just looked at me like he couldn't believe it," he laughs.
