Skip to main content

MoU is first step towards an EU intelligent fare management alliance

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed yesterday by representatives of the organisations for technical specifications of VDV KA (Germany), ITSO (UK), AFIMB (France) and Calypso Network Association together with representatives of UITP (International Association of Public Transport).
March 13, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed yesterday by representatives of the organisations for technical specifications of 3837 VDV KA (Germany), 3836 ITSO (UK), AFIMB (France) and 3835 Calypso Network Association together with representatives of UITP (3833 International Association of Public Transport). The MoU presents a platform for cooperation and a way forward to establish a European Alliance for developing European transport ticketing interoperability. It was signed at the IT-TRANS conference organised by UITP and KMK (3834 Karlsruher Messe-und Kongress GmbH).

Yesterday also saw another major step forward in making transport ticketing across parts of Europe simpler and easier for passengers. An EU IFM (integrated fare management) Alliance is proposed to be set up and supported by the EU Commission that creates a trust scheme for public transport smartcards that mirrors the trust schemes in the mobile phone and banking industries.

Once the EU-IFM Alliance has been created and is operational, there are plans for a pilot be created to test the portal, the trust scheme and the necessary compliance of smartcards as they interoperate between transport schemes and across mobile phone networks and with bankcards.

The electronic ticketing issue features strongly in the EU ITS agenda, being included in the white paper on transport strategy, the ITS directive and a priority for DG Move Urban ITS expert group. It also addresses the challenge by EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas to be able to access public transportation wherever you are in Europe and to hold all your ticketing in a single smart wallet.

Related Content

  • Q&A: Samuel Johnson, IBTTA
    February 18, 2020
    Samuel Johnson, chief operations officer for the Transportation Corridor Agencies in Orange County, California - and 2020 IBTTA president - talks about his background and career...
  • C-TRAN Vancouver opts for electronic fare management
    January 26, 2015
    Clark County Public Transportation Benefit Area (C-TRAN) has awarded a contract to Init for the delivery of a state of the art electronic fare collection system in Vancouver, Washington, US. C-TRAN will equip its fleet of more than 100 vehicles with PROXmobil ticket terminals that, when fully operational, will offer passengers both closed loop and open payment fare options. The agreement was made in cooperation with the transit agency of Portland, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Orego
  • Georgia Yexley: Here's how micromobility can deliver public good
    June 27, 2023
    Georgia Yexley, founder of Loud Mobility, looks at the lessons on diversity, equity and inclusion which can be learned from the US and wider – and explores why it is a vital component for industry growth in the UK
  • Sorting sensible from shiny in tolling technology
    December 11, 2014
    Instead of always striving for the latest shiny toys Kevin Hoeflich of HNTB advises a 10-steps method for selecting the most appropriate technology. Amid the hype and razzmatazz surrounding the launch of Apple’s iPhone 6, the company also announced its new mobile payment system, Apple Pay. Built into the new iPhone 6, Apple Pay works at 220,000 merchants across America and is supported by major US banks and the big three credit card companies.