Ticketless bus travel: Klagenfurt relies on Account-Based Ticketing

How do you see the future of ticketing in public transport?

Ticketing is about to change fundamentally. We are saying goodbye to the classic ticket and moving in fa vour of a digital, invisible companion that makes mo bility as simple as possible. The system automatically recognises who is travelling and calculates a suitable price afterwards. Fares, zones or apps are no longer relevant – technology is taking over.

What prompted the public transport operator Klagenfurt to opt for Account-Based Ticketing?

Residents of Klagenfurt are on the move in diverse ways: some people commute daily, others sponta neously hop on the bus or combine different modes of transport. This vibrant mix requires a ticketing sys tem that adapts to people's behaviour. Account-Based Ticketing enables exactly that. It puts the needs of passengers at the centre and works in the background in a flexible, reliable and simple way.

We as a transport company are also benefitting from the changeover. Ticket sales will be less complica ted, and inspections more efficient. At the same time, thanks to anonymised data, we are learning more about how our passengers travel and can target our services more precisely. This makes public transport more attractive. Travelling by bus is not only becoming easier, but also more sustainable: less paper, fewer re sources, each trip a little greener. I am convinced that ticketing systems like this are a key to the mobility of tomorrow.

How do you involve passengers and employees in the implementation of ABT?

For us, the introduction of Account-Based Ticketing is far more than just a technical project. It is a joint process of change. That is why we rely on timely, clear and transparent communication on our buses, the website and social media. 

Our passengers can try out the new system in a test phase before the start and give feedback. Highly trai ned employees are on hand to answer any questions with straightforward materials and personalised ad vice. Flyers, short videos and FAQs provide additional help to minimise any initial hurdles.

How does ABT change access to public transport for customers?

Above all, it's getting simpler. If you travel by bus in Klagenfurt, you do not need to worry about fare zones or ticket types in future. Passengers can board, check in, and set off. 

All trips appear in an overview in your personal custo mer account. If you want to set off spontaneously, sim ply board the train without purchasing a ticket before hand. And because we don't want to exclude anyone, cash payment and classic tickets are still an option.

For the technical implementation, you rely on one of IVU’s software solutions. What were the most important criteria when selecting the system?

It was crucial for us that the software system was re liable, secure and customer-friendly. It must integrate seamlessly into our existing workflows. Equally import ant was data protection. Handling sensitive customer data requires care and responsibility. Simultaneously, user-friendliness for passengers and employees plays a large role. IVU has the necessary expertise for this. Its many years of experience in public transport con vinced us. We have a partner by our side who speaks our language and is reliably accompanying us on our path to digital mobility.