Developing an integrated pricing system

Summary

The measure aimed to improve services for public transport users by making their subscriptions more flexible and easier to manage.

Implementing sustainable mobility

An important way to attract new customers to public transport and to retain existing customers is to improve satisfaction by making the services as efficient and user-friendly as possible.

Season ticket holders in La Rochelle were previously obliged to go to the central bus station to renew their passes. A new service was therefore introduced allowing them to recharge their public transport passes through an easily accessible online payment system on the website of the bus operator (www.rtcr.fr). The updated subscription is valid for use the following day.

Progress

The project was divided into two phases: equipping the bus depot and vehicles with a WIFI system; and setting up the pass charging interface.

The new system was launched in July 2008 and was accompanied by a major promotion campaign on-board the buses, at bus stops and at ticket sales points.

Outcomes

The online renewal system provides genuine benefits for passengers and was given recognition at the Public Transport Innovation Awards during the European Mobility Exhibition in Paris in June 2008.