SBB app fails with ticket checking – “EasyRide” feature under criticism

Thanks to the feedback from those affected, few cases are known so far, but the consistent descriptions raise questions: why does the EasyRide function integrated in the SBB app fail unexpectedly? And this of all time at the dumbest moment…

What happened?

In the “SBB Mobile” public help forum, an affected user put it in a nutshell:

The same problem has happened to him several times since then, the anonymous user added this week.

Another app user describes:

On Wednesday someone doubles after:

Why is EasyRide canceled during the trip?

The technical cause is unknown.

Another user of the SBB app describes:

Another patient criticizes:

What does the SBB say?

watson sent the media agency a list of questions, which, according to SBB spokesman Daniele Pallecchi, were answered by the experts responsible.

How do those responsible assess the problems with EasyRide described above and what are the app developers doing about it?

The reaction of the SBB media agency:

The experts of SBB have not ruled on the cases described in the online forum in which the user would have checked in correctly, but EasyRide “hanged up” during the ride.

Those responsible also contradict the assumption that the problems with EasyRide have arisen since the redesign of the SBB app last fall.

It is emphasized that these are isolated cases.

That this is not a widespread phenomenon is also apparent from the reactions on the SBB online forum. There are also no user reviews in Apple’s App Store or Google Play Store (Android) that reference the EasyRide issue described.

What does the SBB recommend when using EasyRide?

What should you do during a ride if EasyRide is activated, so that you don’t get any nasty surprises when checking the tickets?

Here the SBB refers to the animation (mentioned above) that indicates a successful check-in. Also check that the travel authorization appears under “Tickets and Subscriptions”. This is “displayed for assistance with a red check mark after checking in the app”.

If the EasyRide function unexpectedly “hangs up” during a ride, ie is not available during a ticket check, for example, you only need to switch the smartphone to flight mode for a few seconds.

What is EasyRide?

That’s what the SBB call them integrated into the SBB Mobile and the Preview app automatic ticket salesa practical system for everyone involved, if it works.

Both the SBB mobile app and the preview app use the same IT systems for EasyRide.

The function integrated in the SBB apps enables carefree travel by public transport. No ticket machine is required, no counter and no hassle with zones, discount options and optimal routes.

Before you get on the bus, train, tram or ship, you don’t have to buy a ticket from A to B, but you can start the automatic trip registration with a simple swipe on the touchscreen. That’s called Check in and automatically generates an EasyRide ticket that is valid on the GA route network and can be presented at checkpoints.

You then drive as long and as far as you want, including any transfers and stops. And when you have arrived at the destination of the journey, one more swipe is enough Checking out. Then the price for the distance traveled is calculated. EasyRide takes subscriptions to the SwissPass into account, such as the Half-Fare travel card or network subscriptions, and automatically includes connecting tickets.

According to those responsible, EasyRide always calculates the best price for its customers.

EasyRide is based on the technology launched by SBB partner Fairtiq in 2015 and is also available via the app of the same name. Developer company is a start-up from Bern.

Sources