Netsize SMS ticketing solution gears up for nationwide rollout in Italy

Netsize, a Gemalto company, has announced that its SMS ticketing solution is now being deployed by bus networks in eight cities across Italy, with La Spezia, Pisa and Mantova the latest to introduce this convenient approach to travelling on public transport.

More cities are set to follow, allowing millions of Italians the opportunity to purchase bus tickets from any type of mobile phone via a premium SMS, without the need to use bank accounts, credit cards or to preregister personal details online. Netsize is working alongside the leading mobile network operators in Italy, namely Vodafone, WIND, Telecom Italia and H3G.

The Netsize solution enables customers to buy flat-rate travel tickets by sending a keyword from their phones to the bus operator. The electronic ticket is received via text in a matter of seconds, and simply needs to be shown to the driver or conductor to permit travel right across the city network. Payment is made direct from the user's prepaid or mobile phone account, putting cashless travel within easy reach of a wide range of customers.

Since the launch in Italy 18 months ago, more than two million SMS fares have been sold, accounting for 25% of single-use tickets issued by participating bus companies. By supporting all the processes needed to launch and operate a secure SMS Ticketing solution, the Netsize system will ensure that La Spezia, Pisa and Mantova reap the benefits that are already being enjoyed in Florence, Bari, Savona, Genova and Treviso. These include increased sales, savings in the cost of issuing single-trip tickets, convenience for customers, and simplicity for the bus drivers by reducing the delay created by handling cash transactions on buses or at sales offices.

"The introduction of Netsize SMS Ticketing has strengthened our sales network, allowing all mobile phone users the freedom to buy their tickets on an any time, anywhere basis, without the need for cash," said Stefano Bonora, Chief Marketing Officer of Busitalia. "In addition to simplifying the lives of customers, it provides an attractive alternative to the expensive and time-consuming process of issuing paper tickets. In Florence specifically, this new, innovative solution has been very well received by commuters and we are witnessing strong user adoption."

"An ever-growing number of cities are looking to using this technology to enhance the travelling experience," said Fr'ed'eric Deman, General Manager of Netsize. "Furthermore, this type of solution can easily be extended to other applications, such as car parking, and is an ideal first step towards the introduction of more advanced NFC services via mobile phone."