Touch and Travel
The German Trains (Deutsche Bahn) is looking for test users for a new system that will allow users to travel without a paper ticket. The idea is really cool (although is neither revolutionary nor new, people have been using this system in Japan for some time).
How it will work?
Pass your mobile phone through “Touchpoints” before taking the train, pass it again when your are at your destination and get the invoice later. The system will recognize your mobile thanks to a chip your telephone has (or will have).
Picture from Die Bahn AG
Touch and Trick?
I wonder if it would be possible to check prices before traveling. What if the price changes? What if I want to use a regional ticket? (those tickets with discount). Now I can buy a ticket to go to the Alps, come back to Munich and use the same ticket for the city transport. Would that be possible? Will the system choose the cheapest option for me? mmm…
Although I have my doubts about this system I think it might be worth to have a try. And if it works fine it could promote the use of mobile applications, yeah! I would love to try it but unfortunately is available only in north Germany… shame…
More info: http://www.touchandtravel.de
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