From the end of June, Strasbourg transport users will be able to access public transport ticketing services, from wherever they are, and store the information on their smartphones (http://www.cts-strasbourg.eu/). Payment via a mobile phone can be made by bank card or directly via the user’s phone bill. To validate the pre-purchased ticket, you simply swipe your smartphone over the TAG already installed on validating devices in tram stations and on buses.
U’GO is free and available on Android. Discussions are under way for the Windows Phone 8 to be equipped with the app. It will be made available to Orange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom and NRJ Mobile customers.
Sopra Group has provided CTS with a “turn-key” technical platform which includes an information system, a website, a mobile app to manage NFC (Near Field Communication) tags, and a mobile app for transport users based on NFC technology. The website, which is multilingual and based on an adaptive design, allows transport tickets to be purchased via a user-friendly and intuitive interface adapted to the new terminals. It also offers editorial content, which is managed by CTS contributors.
Jean-Philippe Lally, Chief Executive Officer of CTS, says: “Used with urban transport, new technologies are simplifying and facilitating the lives of users. CTS is familiar with the ‘contactless’ concept as it already provides its customers with tagged season-tickets, and since the beginning of 2012 it offers them real-time public transport information (waiting time in stations, availability of the Velhop bike hire scheme, etc.) by means of the Strasplus app.
This latest initiative reinforces Strasbourg’s position as the nation’s leader with its contactless mobile solution that is quality-certified by the State. During the course of the project, Sopra Group demonstrated its understanding of the transport ticketing business and its expert knowledge of mobile platforms, successfully delivering a complex information system working to a high standard of quality and a tight schedule.”
Alain Cantat, Executive Director at Sopra Group, comments: “The success of this project aimed at serving the general public is the fruit of the close and successful partnership formed between CTS and Sopra Group, as well as a whole range of stakeholders such as telecommunications operators, design firms, hosts, ticket printers, TAG manufacturers, banks, etc. We are proud to be among the first to launch such an offer in France.”
