Further integration of the ticketing system

Summary

The range of public transport ticketing products in La Rochelle was extended in order to target new categories of users, particularly schoolchildren and visitors to the city.

Implementing sustainable mobility

Prior to measure implementation, approximately 4,000 schoolchildren in the Urban Community of La Rochelle were using standard magnetic tickets or personalised cards. As a result of the measure, they were provided with personalised smart cards.

At the same time, it was decided to launch a transport pass combining unlimited public transport use with discounted prices for museums and the main attractions in the city.

As an popular tourist destination, La Rochelle welcomes thousands of visitors each year. The idea was to offer an appealing alternative to private car use by creating a pass combining public transport and and a wide range of cultural and leisure activities.

The "Pass Rochelais" was based on:

• strong partnership between transport providers and the main tourist and cultural sites;
• attractive prices for all users; and
• the provision of information in multiple languages.

Progress

• Smart cards were distributed to schoolchildren from September 2006.
• The Pass Rochelais was introduced for cultural sites in 2005.
• The pass was subsequently extended to leisure activities, new selling points and new target groups.
• Information about the pass was disseminated regularly, directed in particular at English-speaking visitors.

Outcomes

As a result of measure implementation:

• the one-ticket approach to public transport was promoted;
• satisfaction among new categories of users improved;
• the management of subscriptions was made more efficient for both transport operators and users;
• the number of passengers using public transport increased;
• the number of visitors to the main tourist sites increased;
• more than 11,500 Pass Rochelais were sold between 2005 and 2008; and
• 87 percent of Pass Rochelais users were very satisfied with the service and 12 percent quite satisfied (according to a survey carried out in summer 2008).