Invalid e-tickets due to poor mobile phone reception: Swiss public transport now revises fare evasion regulations

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Due to poor signal reception at the bus stop: This happens repeatedly on passenger trains at some train stations in Switzerland. If there is a problem with the mobile phone network, it will also take a little longer to purchase the e-ticket. If the train leaves a few seconds before confirmation, you are a fare dodger. Without exception. This causes red heads among customers and consumer protection. As “Tages-Anzeiger” writes, the Alliance Swisspass industry association is finally revising the controversial regulation.

The problem has been known for a long time. Public transport ombudsman Hans Höhener (76) lists several examples in his 2021 and 2022 annual reports. The same goes for a father and son who buy their tickets at the same time, shortly before the train departs. The purchase for his son was confirmed in the app 24 seconds late. He had to pay a surcharge of 90 francs. According to Alliance Swisspass tariff regulations T600, the ticket is invalid only one second after the actual departure time.

Whether intentional or accidental

It doesn’t matter if it’s intentional or accidental. Train attendants are also not allowed to judge good faith. In this way, SBB and other public transport companies want to prevent arbitrariness and ease the burden on the staff. There is still a 30 franc processing fee, although the SBB customer center graciously waives the additional fee.

Long-haul transport to Germany shows how this can be done differently: Here passengers have up to ten minutes after departure to purchase a ticket. The regulation was put into effect at the beginning of 2022, replacing the purchase of tickets on the train. It is no longer possible to buy a ticket from the train attendant on Swiss public transport. However, unlike Germany, there is no new model that allows for more tolerance.

Consumer protection and ombudsman call for new solution

Alliance Swiss Pass justifies this shortcoming primarily by the time limitation on local and regional transportation. For example, if a tram arrives at the next stop in just 30 seconds, passengers can avoid buying tickets for the short distance. Second, passengers shouldn’t have to distinguish between local and long-distance transportation. The association also confirms that it is possible to purchase tickets from some transportation companies after departure.

Consumer protection shows “no understanding” in terms of Swiss regulation. “For reasons of economy, as much as possible is being digitized and then implemented in a way that is not customer-friendly,” says general manager Sara Stalder (57). The law demands that passengers can purchase tickets on the train without penalty until two minutes after departure.

Ombudsman Höhener also calls for additional time for Swiss long-distance transport. Last spring, he took the issue to the Public Transportation Association board of directors. As Alliance Swiss Pass spokesman Reto Hügli confirmed, the responsible sales commission is currently “processing” the regulation. He doesn’t want to say anything more about it. (Snap)

Source :Blick