200 trial users are already experiencing the reality of what will be accessible across Germany for all travellers from 2010: ‘Touch & Travel’ – the innovative e-ticket system from Deutsche Bahn and Vodafone. Both companies are testing the new technology in an initial trial together with other partners in part of the ‘S-Bahn’ network in Berlin, the local transport network in Potsdam and on the Intercity-Express route between Berlin and Hanover. This ‘Touch & Travel’ system will transform the mobile phone into a ticket. Travellers have to ’sign on’ before departure by simply holding their phone next to a ‘Touchpoint’ and ’sign off’ again on arrival at their destination. For this purpose, all train platforms and bus stops will be fitted with these so-called ‘Touchpoints’. At the end of the journey, the distance travelled and the cost of the journey is calculated, and customers receive an invoice for their trips.

“We are carrying forward our growth strategy for passenger transportation, and are making train journeys easier and easier. This is the only way we will also attract young people” says Hartmut Mehdorn, chief executive of Deutsche Bahn AG. “This ‘Touch & Travel’ system allows us to offer an e-ticket solution throughout the country, which is also open to all other transport companies and offers a standardised system to customers.” A bewildering combination of different types of technology is thus being avoided.

“Today the mobile phone, together with keys and wallet, is one of the most important items we carry around with us. I strongly believe that the mobile phone will increasingly be used as a method of payment and also as a form of identification”, states Friedrich Joussen, chairman of the executive board of Vodafone in Germany. “‘Touch & Travel’ is an innovative solution, which facilitates rail journeys for customers and also shows the potential for payments and ticketing through mobile phones.” The e-ticketing concept from Deutsche Bahn and Vodafone is based on new mobile phone technology called Near Field Communication (NFC). This is what enables non-contact data transmission within the distance of a few centimetres.

As partners of Deutsche Bahn and Vodafone, other participants involved in the ‘Touch & Travel’ pilot project include the transport services of Berlin and Potsdam as well as the technology partners ATRON electronic, Giesecke & Devrient, Motorola and NXP.

Contact the Deutsche Bahn UK Booking Centre on +44 (0)8718 80 80 66 (8p per minute) from Monday to Friday (9am to 5pm) or send an e-mail to sales@bahn.co.uk. Train timetables and more information can also be found on www.bahn.co.uk and www.bahn.ie.

DB Vertrieb GmbH
Passenger Services
Suites 6/8
The Sanctuary
23 Oakhill Grove
Surbiton
Surrey
KT6 6DU

Contact:
Aisha Saharan
Tel: 020/8339-4720
Fax: 020/8339-4770
E-mail: aisha.saharan@bahn.co.uk

Prices and information are correct at time of issue.