Alliance SwissPass: Digitization of Swiss Public Transport
Even more performance for comfort, freedom of travel and the environment.

WavePointer "RailTAG Beacons" become the standard at Alliance SwissPass for contactless accounting data collection in the public transport vehicles throughout Switzerland and all of Liechtenstein.

Traveling with Swiss and Liechtenstein public transport is convenient and easy. Train, bus, boat and mountain railroad take travelers wherever they want to go - quickly and almost always to the minute. And the innovations in Swiss public transport in particular are groundbreaking in the truest sense of the word. Thanks to them, public transport in Switzerland is one of the best and densest transport networks in the world. 

The first Swiss steamship in the 19th century, the longest railroad tunnel in the world (Gotthard tunnel with 2 times 57 km), the first mountain railroad (Vitznau-Rigi railroad, 1871) and highest mountain railroad (Jungfraujoch 3454 m) in Europe as well as the steepest mountain railroad in the world (Stossbahn) find their beginning here. And Switzerland never tires of constantly investing in the expansion of public transport and creating first-class innovations in the process.

Alliance SwissPass: Alliance of advantages and progress

   

The Alliance SwissPass, as the industry organization for public transport in Switzerland and an association of a good 250 transport companies and 18 tariff associations, is responsible for harmonized, comprehensible and economical tariff regulations, modern and attractive sales solutions and customer-oriented product ranges and information systems throughout Switzerland. This constantly creates new added value for passengers and also for the affiliated transport companies and tariff associations - a constantly growing advantage for all involved.

Practically "halfway around the world" - with just one ticket.

A passenger with, for example, a General Abonnement (GA) as a flat-rate ticket (e.g. e-Ticket, Mobile-Ticket or on the SwissPass) can now travel almost regardless of the destination and the carriers used, carefree with just "one ticket". The GA is valid in Switzerland and Lichtenstein on all major railroads, almost all private railroads, on the entire Postbus network and on most other bus companies, many municipal transport companies (bus, streetcar) and countless shipping lines/mountain railroads. The GA passenger can therefore currently use a total route network of a good 25,000 km at all times without having to buy "another" ticket. This corresponds to more than half the circumference of the earth. A unique offer!

The advantage for passenger customers is enormous. In terms of mobility, an incomparable maximum of flexibility and value for money is offered: Private and business. On land, on water and "in the air". This is unique in the world, and many countries are now also striving to offer such a service to their public transport passengers.

Further innovations for customers and transport companies 

Precisely because of the benchmarks already achieved, the benefits for all will be further expanded. In the near future, passengers with a flat-rate ticket (GA) will have even more travel routes and means of transport at their disposal: Just get on, get going, get there. The economic attractiveness for the transport companies to participate in the Alliance program is also constantly being increased and expanded. The attractiveness of this overall system means that more and more customers are switching back to trains, buses, ships and cable cars.

With this truly enormous project, Switzerland is pursuing not least the goal of persuading as many travelers as possible to use public transport in the long term, thereby considerably relieving the burden on people, nature and the environment..

 


WavePointer.com:  
Pioneering Digitalization of Public Transport 

Starting in 2023, the Alliance will launch an unparalleled initiative to further digitize the transportation infrastructure. By using high-tech radio technology (RailTAG.com Beacons) from WavePointer.com, the quality of the usage & collection data from and for transport companies is to be raised to "a new level". For this purpose, an international tender was held at the end of 2022, in which WavePointer was selected as the best product.

As a result, Alliance SwissPass members will in future be able to obtain accurate data on their usage levels, based on anonymous real-time data recording in their vehicles/means of transport. This means that a reliable basis for the distribution of revenue, including from flat-rate tickets, is available at all times - secure, usage-based, automatic and everywhere. 

In addition, this technology can also be used in the future for other applications, such as control forecasts, be-in/be-out, improved Internet in vehicles, clean & repair, capacity utilization measurements, car queuing and guidance systems, enhanced customer information, passenger services, or support for persons with reduced mobility.

"The start as well as the implementation of this supranational project has our utmost respect and puts Switzerland and Lichtenstein in a - also globally seen - unique situation", explains WavePointer. "Switzerland will thus further meet the ever-growing importance of public transport, but also the challenges to be overcome in the process, through the holistic and early introduction of digital infrastructure. We are very pleased to be involved in this exciting project with WavePointer technology. We are also convinced that other countries, especially in Europe, will soon follow this example."

WavePointer develops and produces the technology of the radio beacon infrastructure in this project - coordinating and supplying directly the more than 250 transport companies of the Alliance SwissPass each with thousands of hardware and dedicated roll-out support. An optimally organized procedure enables the smooth equipping of the public transport vehicles of two entire countries - based on a high volume of devices via "plug & play" installation and within only a few months. A prime example in terms of quality, performance, production and schedule coordination as well as innovation. 

The vehicles of Swiss Federal Railways SBB and PostBus AG are also included in this project and will be equipped by the end of 2023. This means that the new services will be available almost nationwide in Switzerland and Lichtenstein in the future.
 

A technical and logistical masterpiece

Public transport is provided by a multitude of different means of transport and traffic. Every day, thousands and thousands of trains, streetcars, ships, buses and gondola lifts are tirelessly at work to reliably bring millions of travelers to their destinations. In 2019, people in Switzerland covered around 16.6 billion kilometers on trains, buses and ships. In 2040, the Federal Office for Spatial Development expects around 33.6 billion passenger kilometers in public transport.

WavePointer technology not only fulfills the demanding radio communication services in the project on a technical top level for years and 24/7, but also supports the certification requirements for every type of vehicle used in the public transport environment. When it comes to passenger transportation, the highest standards of safety and reliability apply technically. In addition, the WavePointer devices are also subjected to considerable stress over many years. They must be able to operate at altitudes of 3500 m and in extreme cold or heat, as well as on ships or in long tunnels through the Gotthard.

In addition, a very tight schedule was required to supply the nearly 300 transport companies involved, almost simultaneously, with tens of thousands of devices at different locations and to enable simple and safe installation. WavePointer had just over four months of time from production to delivery. An enormous effort in demanding times (geopolitics, supply chain, etc.), but one that was mastered with flying colors.

"A company that masters such a large project is a reliable partner in the field of building digital infrastructure. Other countries will - once again - take their hats off to this Swiss public transport innovation when this digitalization step will play out its obvious advantages. The fact that Switzerland has put its trust in WavePointer technology for this is the greatest appreciation we can receive as a company" explains WavePointer.

 

 

  

About Alliance SwissPass

The Alliance SwissPass as an industry organization of public transport and association of 250 transport companies and 18 associations is committed to harmonized, understandable and economical tariff regulations, modern and attractive sales solutions as well as customer-oriented product ranges and information systems throughout Switzerland. The office ensures the operational running of the Alliance SwissPass and contributes with its services for the industry and the travelers to a simple, future-oriented and customer-friendly public transport system in Switzerland. Thanks to the SwissPass and the services included on it, such as GA, Half-Fare or Combined Pass, the Alliance SwissPass ensures easy access to Swiss public transport.

 

About WavePointer

WavePointer is an innovative high-tech company headquartered on Lake Zug in Switzerland. The company's team focuses on design and production services in the areas of integrated circuits, electronic systems, firmware, software and the development of own brands in the application area of the Internet of Things (IoT). Customers include international corporations and SMEs in many industries.

WavePointer both develops and produces its own product lines and also enables the technical implementation of customer visions. Experienced engineers with awards in electronics, software and product engineering enable the highest level of performance.

  • Integrated circuit/electronic systems design, including hardware and firmware development.
  • Global satellite navigation, sensor technology and state-of-the-art radio technology
  • Miniaturization, range optimization and ultra-low energy management
  • Software engineering with a focus on embedded solutions
  • Edge and cloud computing architectures
  • Implementation of prototypes, small series and mass production
  • Automatic identification via a secure QR code system (SQRC) - DENSO Partner 

 

 

 

Involved transport companies

Aare Seeland mobil AG, Aargau Verkehr AG (AVA), AG für Verkehrsbetriebe LLB, AHW Busbetriebe AG, Aletsch Bergbahnen AG, AMSA – Autolinea Mendrisiense S.A., Appenzeller Bahnen AG, Auto AG Rothenburg, AUTO AG SCHWYZ, AUTO AG Uri, Autobetrieb Sernftal AG, Autobetrieb Weesen-Amden , Autobus AG Liestal Öffentlicher Verkehr, Autobusbetrieb Freienbach AG, Autolinee Bleniesi, Automobilverkehr Frutigen - Adelboden AG, Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe, Belalp Bahnen AG, Bergbahn Lauterbrunen-Mürren AG, Bergbahnen Beckenried Emmetten AG, Berner Oberland-Bahnen AG, BERNMOBIL, Städtische Verkehrsbetriebe Bern, BLS AG, BLS AG, BLT Baselland Transport AG, Bodensee-Schiffsbetriebe GmbH, BOGG Busbetrieb Olten Gösgen Gäu AG, Braunwald-Standseilbahn AG, Brunni-Bahnen Engelberg AG, Bürgerbus WETA, Bus du Soleil SA, Bus Ostschweiz AG, Bus und Service AG, Busbetrieb Aarau AG (BBA), Busbetrieb BLWE, Busbetrieb Rapperswil-Eschenbach-Rüti, Busbetrieb Solothurn und Umgebung BSU, Busbetriebe Bamert GmbH, Busland AG, CGN SA, Chemin de fer Nyon - St-Cergue - Morez SA, CHEMINS DE FER DU JURA, Compagnie du Chemin de fer Montreux Oberland bernois SA, Einwohner Gemeinde Zermatt E-Bus, Eurobus Ostschweiz AG, Ferrovia Monte Generoso SA, Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi- FART SA, Firstbahn AG, Forchbahn, Funiculaire Saint-Imier Mont-Soleil SA, Gondelbahn Grindelwald-Männlichen AG, Gondelbahn Kandersteg Oeschinensee AG, Gurtenbahn Bern AG, Harderbahn AG, Jungrfaubahn AG, LNM , LTB Lungern Turren Bahn , LUFAG, Luftseilbahn Dallenwil-Wirzweli AG, Luftseilbahn Meiringen-Reuti AG , Luftseilbahn Rhäzüns Feldis AG, Luftseilbahn Schattdorf-Haldi, Luftseilbahn Staldenried, Luftseilbahn Wasserauen - Ebenalp AG, Matterhorn Gotthard Verkehrs AG, Monte Tamaro SA, Mouettes Genevoises sa, Niederhornbahn AG, Niesenbahn AG, PostAuto AG, Regiobus AG, Regionalbus Lenzburg AG, Regionale Verkehrsbetriebe Baden-Wettingen (RVBW) AG, RegionAlps AG, Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn, Regionalverkehr Bern-Solothurn RBS, Rhätische Bahn, Rigi Bahnen AG, Rottal Auto AG, Säntis Schwebebahn AG, Schifffahrts-Genossenschaft Greifensee, Schifffahrtsgesellschaft Hallwilersee AG, Schweiz. Schifffahrtsgesellschaft Untersee u. Rhein AG, Schweizerische Bodensee-Schifffahrt AG, Schweizerische Bundesbahnen SBB, Schweizerische Südostbahn AG, Service de la mobilité - Section transports publics, SGV Holding AG, Sihltal Zürich Uetliberg Bahn SZU, SMC SA, Societa Autolinee Regionali Luganesi, Societa di Navigazione del Lago di Lugano SA, Société Anonyme des auto-transports de La Vallée de Joux, A.V.J., Stadtbus Winterthur, Stanserhorn-Bahn, STI Service AG, Stoosbahnen AG, Theytaz Excursions S.A., TMR SA, Toggenburgbergbahnen, TPN SA, Transport de la région Morges Bière Cossonay SA, Transports Publics de la Région lausannoise, Transports Publics du Chablais SA, Transports publics fribourgeois Trafic (TPF TRAFIC) SA, Transports publics genevois (TPG), Transports Publics Neuchâtelois SA, Trasporti Pubblici Luganesi SA, TRAVYS SA, Treib-Seelisberg-Bahn AG, VBG Verkehrsbetriebe Glattal AG, Verkehrsbetrieb LIECHTENSTEINmobil, Verkehrsbetriebe Biel, Verkehrsbetriebe Davos, Verkehrsbetriebe Luzern AG, Verkehrsbetriebe Schaffhausen VBSH, Verkehrsbetriebe St.Gallen, Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich VBZ, Verkehrsbetriebe Zürichsee und Oberland AG, VMCV SA, Wengernalpbahn AG, zb Zentralbahn AG, Zugerland Verkehrsbetriebe, Zürichsee Schifffahrtsgesellschaft AG, Zürichsee-Fähre Horgen-Meilen AG

Further Information

Press release of the Alliance SwissPass

https://www.allianceswisspass.ch/de/asp/News/Newsmeldung?newsid=451&searchTerm=beacons

WavePointer RailTAG: Certified IOT for rail, road, water & air

www.RailTag.com