SBB app with Uber and cab
Customers will soon be able to book taxi rides through the SBB app.
As the Sonntagszeitung writes in its current issue, the Federal Railways not only want to integrate a cab service into the travel planner of the new app from spring 2017, but also Uber. An integration with the ride service is being examined, spokesman Christian Ginsig confirmed to the newspaper.
The new trip planner, which is expected to be available in January, will not only offer cab rides in the spring, but will also integrate Mobility's "Catch-a-Car" service. In contrast to the classic Mobility principle, with "Catch-a-Car" the cars no longer have a fixed parking space. This enables more flexible use.
The free journey planner is currently being tested by 1000 users. Among other things, it should be able to display the most optimal combination of means of transport for a route - regardless of whether it is an SBB journey. Each travel option includes a cost estimate. Ticket purchases or Mobility reservations are made directly via the app.
However, the trip planner will not only be available as an app, but also as a website.
According to the Sonntagszeitung, there's a lot of movement - and a lot of disagreement - in the transportation industry right now. Various companies are currently testing new apps. A common strategy is not yet in sight, and SBB is not working with other transport companies for the time being. Everyone hopes that their own solution will prevail in the end.
If transport companies fail to implement and establish a good digital mobility solution, they risk losing their greatest advantage - the privilege of selling tickets. Today, potential competitors such as Google only have access to timetable data. If this changes, transit agencies will lose not only the margins from sales, but also access to the valuable user data that is expected to provide important revenue in the future. (hae/SoZ)
