E-ticketing system fully operational in Coimbra
The new e-ticketing system in Coimbra is finally fully operational with the launch of Coimbra conVida, the new smart-card pass and other mobility services and products.
The implementation of the new e-ticketing system by Coimbra's municipal urban transport service (SMTUC) was completed on 1 February 2012. It required the installation of the system on 150 buses, which started one year ago, in February 2011. Accordingly, the system began functioning for the public in a test mode in September 2011 during European Mobility Week. At that time, new driver consoles were installed as a trial for on-board ticket sales. After the successful trial, the new system advanced with the introduction of the contactless tickets (Viagem conVida) on 1 January 2012. These tickets have an acquisition cost of 0.50 € and can be recharged. Finally, from now on, the new system is fully operational and everyone can use it! Based on Calypso technology, the new e-ticketing system has numerous benefits for the stakeholders involved and especially for the citizens of Coimbra. The principal benefits of the new system are: Greater technical reliability; Greater integration; Greater interoperability; and Greater intermodality; In December, SMTUC had launched an information campaign promoting the system and explaining its use to all citizens of Coimbra. SMTUC mailed over 84,000 leaflets explaining the e-ticketing system to all households in the city. Currently, the new system has integrated all SMTUC bus fares and Coimbra’s Park & Ride services. It is now possible to create tickets that allow journeys on several bus lines within a 1-hour period (as an alternative to the previous system of a single trip in one line). These tickets are already the standard for the Park & Ride Service and could be extended to the public transport network. Moreover, it is now also possible for passengers to choose the number of trips they would like to take. Furthermore, an event service is programmed to be implemented in the coming weeks, in which event organisers can purchase a package of bus trips for participants of a specific event (e.g. conference, concert, workshop, sports match). In the future, other mobility services can be integrated with the new e-ticketing system such as car sharing services, bike sharing, national railways and regional public transport operators. Contacts with the surrounding municipalities and public transport operators has been established for the creation of an inter-municipal pass. Very soon, the system will be developed further, for instance with a possibility to reload the card at cash machines, and will provide an even better service for citiziens.
Author: Da Vinha Luis
