Does anyone have experience using the "Easy Ride" app for buying Swiss train tickets? Worthwhile, or not? I am a little worried about possible problems with cell phone reception. Also, I can easily imagine myself forgetting to "close out" each trip when I get off the train, which I understand could lead to the need to request a refund. And does it work for ALL transportation in Switzerland, including the mountain trains/cable cars?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
34741 posts
that's a new one on me.
Is it issued by the SBB?
Posted by
OP
Poer Ludlow, WA
14 posts
Yes, it is issued by SBB. Supposedly it is more for the Swiss than for tourists. You have the app tied to a credit card, so you just pick the train/bus/whatever you want to ride in the app, select it and the app automatically calculates the cheapest fare AFTER you have completed the trip. So it is essential that you indicate when you get off the train, so it will stop calculating. And I think if there is a daily rate, it will combine everything at the end of the day and give you the best rate.
It will not take into account Saver passes since those have to be purchased in advance. But it does take into account a half fare card if you have one.
At least this is what I have read about it online. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with trusting it to do all these calculations, hence my initial post.
Posted by
Wengen
2835 posts
Easyride is actually a product called "FairTiq" and you can download their app as well, and it will do the same. But SBB (and others) have integrated it in their apps as well. FairTiq is also being introduced in Austria, Germany, and has been tested in Belgium. It is a way to implement "tap and go" without having to put up totems or gates everywhere.
You do not select your bus or train in advance. That is not necessary. You just swipe to the right, wait for the activation to be acknowledged, and then board whatever vehicle you want to travel on. Then swipe to the left at your destination.
It is important that you do not wait till the last moment with swiping to the right, because if the activation happens only after the vehicle has started you could be fined for travelling without a ticket.
The system detects when you are no longer travelling, and are back on foot, and will remind you top check out. One advantage the FairTiq app has here over the SBB app is that it comes with a Apple Watch app, wich allows your watch to allert you if you forget to check out...
It works on all public transport. So everywhere the GA or the STP gives you free travel. It does not work for touristic cable cars and railways. So for example on the WAB you can use it between Lauterbrunnen and Wengen, but not from Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg.
I think it is very useful in city traffic. You do not have to decide in advance if you need a day pass or not. You just travel, hop on and off vehicles at will. And if you forget to immediately check out after getting of the bus that is not a huge issue, as the tariff is zone based, and you are unlikely to cross to other cities on foot...
Posted by
OP
Poer Ludlow, WA
14 posts
Thank you very much, Wengen, that is very helpful.