Rollout SMS ticketing in Italy.
Netsize, a Gemalto company, has announced that its SMS Ticketing solution is now being deployed by bus networks in eight cities across Italy, with La Spezia, Pisa and Mantova, the latest to introduce this convenient approach to traveling on public transport. More cities are set to follow, allowing millions of Italians the opportunity to purchase bus tickets from any type of mobile phone via a premium SMS, without the need to use bank accounts, credit cards or pre-register personal details online.
The Netsize solution enables customers to buy flat rate travel tickets by sending a keyword from their phone to the bus operator. The electronic ticket is received via text in a matter of seconds, and needs to be shown to the driver or conductor to permit travel right across the city network. Payment is made direct from the user’s prepaid or mobile phone account, putting cashless travel within easy reach of a wide range of customers.
“The introduction of Netsize SMS Ticketing has strengthened our sales network, allowing all mobile phone users the freedom to buy their tickets on an anytime, anywhere basis, without the need for cash,” said Stefano Bonora, Chief Marketing Officer of Busitalia. “In addition to simplifying the lives of customers, it provides an attractive alternative to the expensive and time consuming process of issuing paper tickets. In Florence specifically, this new innovative solution has been very well received by commuters and we are witnessing strong user adoption.”
“An ever-growing number of cities are looking to using this technology to enhance the traveling experience,” said Frédéric Deman, General Manager of Netsize. “Furthermore, this type of solution can easily be extended to other applications, such as car parking, and is an ideal first step towards the introduction of more advanced NFC services via mobile phone.”
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