Riding Public Transit Simplified: The Surge of "eezy.nrw"
Progressing steadily toward achievement or triumph - "eezy.nrw" on Course for Successful Venture
Public transport in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) just got easier, thanks to the popular digital fare system "eezy.nrw". Launched three and a half years ago, the app has already surpassed ten million trips and has no plans on slowing down.
The Ministry of Transport in NRW reported that around 602,000 trips were made through the app in April alone, nearly doubling the figure from the previous year. Compared to the previous month, there was an increase of 13.6%.
As simple as A-B, no more jungles!
Being hailed as a user-friendly alternative, "eezy.nrw" bonds with passengers through the simplicity of its features. "No queues at the machine, no tariff jungle, just check in via the app and go," as the Ministry emphasizes. The cost? It's competitively capped to 58 euros per month, roughly the cost of the Germany ticket.
The unique little brother of the Germany ticket
While the Germany ticket offers a nationwide solution, "eezy.nrw" is a regional companion that's one-of-a-kind in Germany. Developed in collaboration with transport associations and fare communities, with financial support from the transport ministry, "eezy.nrw" aims to make it simpler for more individuals to switch to bus and train travel. "Apart from the Germany ticket, 'eezy.nrw' is the second ticket revolution," said the Transport Minister Oliver Krischer (Greens).
Tariffs are automatically calculated through the respective apps used, offering a basic fare between 1.49 and 1.84 euros for each trip, depending on the air-distance traveled (23 to 29 cents per kilometer). Once you reach the 58 euros cap, additional travels in NRW during the same calendar month are free.
Düsseldorf, here we come, hassle-free!
You asked about the tariff jungle:
While traditional public transport ticketing relies on route-based or zone-based tariffs, "eezy.nrw" breaks the mold by calculating fares based on the air-distance traveled. This approach simplifies the ticketing process, making it more intuitive and accessible for passengers.
And what about the app-based check-in:
Yup, it's that simple! Just sign in with your preferred mobile app (like OWLmobil), check in and check out when you board and disembark, and the fare is automatically calculated for you. This eliminates the need for traditional ticket machines, making travel more efficient and hassle-free.
Keep in mind:
- The Germany ticket serves as a reference point for "eezy.nrw" pricing.
- The system is designed for digital natives, offering a seamless, digital approach to public transportation.
- "eezy.nrw" covers all participating transport providers in Westfalen and NRW, offering unrestricted travel within the region.
- Success metrics for "eezy.nrw" primarily center on user convenience, flexibility, and satisfaction.
EC countries could explore the successful model of 'eezy.nrw' for their own vocational training programs, applying the technology-driven app-based system to improve accessibility and flexibility.
Industry leaders in travel and finance might find value in collaborating with 'eezy.nrw' to develop similar solutions for other public-transit systems, using technology to streamline processes and reduce costs.
Investments in vocational training centered around transportation technology could lead to the creation of a new generation of experts that specialize in digital fare systems, driving advancements across EC countries.
