Account-Based Ticketing (ABT)
Account-Based Ticketing (ABT) is an innovative approach to e-ticketing that differs significantly from traditional card-based fare collection systems.
The primary distinction lies in the system's intelligence, which is centralized in a back-office environment rather than being distributed across local ticketing terminals and media.
This structure offers several advantages, such as ease of use across the entire mobility chain for travelers and enhanced flexibility for public transport authorities and mobility providers, particularly when it comes to fare adjustments.
At the Smart Ticketing Alliance (STA), our partners collaborate to develop a unified vision for Account-Based Ticketing, driven by a clear mission:
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Identify Influencing Factors: We work to pinpoint the key business, legal, and security factors that must be considered when implementing an ABT system.
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Promote a Level Playing Field: Our goal is to establish a reference model for policymakers to prevent fragmented ABT implementations across public transport networks, ensuring consistency and interoperability.
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Scale ABT for Seamless Travel: We aim to develop scalable ABT scenarios that enable multimodal, seamless travel, integrating with other sustainable mobility services (B2B and B2C) both now and in the future, in line with Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) principles.
The Goal: A Common Framework for Interoperable ABT in Europe
The ultimate goal is to create a commonly agreed framework that supports interoperable ABT across Europe and beyond. This framework will serve as the basis for unified cross-border mobility solutions.
The STA working group has published a series of modules outlining the key findings on Account-Based Ticketing. The full findings of the working group are available in our library.
STA Workshops and Collaboration
The STA has already conducted several workshops bringing together stakeholders from across the European public transport sector. These workshops have facilitated rich discussions on best practices and challenges in ABT implementation, involving participants from public transport companies, authorities, international ticketing standard organizations, and mobility and payment service providers.
Our working group continues to refine the framework for ABT, focusing on developing universally comprehensible terminology and establishing governance structures that will guide the future of ABT in Europe. This collaborative effort is paving the way for the release of a mutually agreed-upon framework for interoperable ABT, which will support seamless travel and interoperability across different transport networks.
