The fair distribution of revenue is a key element of public transport. In a system such as Switzerland's, where over 250 transport companies (TCs) work hand in hand, accurately recording network usage – especially for flat-rate season tickets such as the General Abonnement (GA) – is a Herculean task. A groundbreaking pilot project between Alliance SwissPass and motiontag now shows that the era of manual travel logs is coming to an end. Welcome to the era of automatically collected mobility data.
The erosion of the status quo: Why manual field surveys are no longer sufficient
For decades, manual surveys and physical travel diaries formed the basis for the so-called “distribution key.” But mobility has changed. Today's passengers expect seamless travel chains, spontaneous transfers, and intermodal flexibility.
The traditional methodology was reaching its limits:
- Memory gaps: Short sections of the journey or hectic transfers were often overlooked in manual records.
- High correction effort: Up to 15% of the data was incomplete and required rework, which involved significant administrative effort.
- Lack of granularity: Previous methods are no longer sufficient to guarantee fair payment to each of the 250 transport companies.
For transport companies, this is a matter of real revenue. Every unrecorded trip represents a potential loss of income for the operating company.
The solution: passive recording with the “myJourney” app
To close these gaps, Alliance SwissPass (ASP) relied on motiontag's technology. At the heart of the project is the myJourney app. Unlike active “check-in/check-out” systems, our technology works in the background and passively records journeys.
How does the technology work?
Our core technology uses smartphone sensors (GPS, acceleration sensors, Wi-Fi) to identify the route of a journey. Using machine learning, the system can distinguish among transport modes (e.g., train, bus, tram, or ship) with over 96% accuracy.
A decisive breakthrough in the Swiss project was the use of Bluetooth beacons. These small transmitters in the vehicles act as digital “anchors.” They clearly confirm to the smartphone which vehicle the passenger is in, even in densely built-up urban areas or during complex transfer maneuvers.
The results of the 2024 pilot project: A leap forward in data quality
The system was thoroughly tested from February to October 2024. The results speak for themselves and mark the “methodological turning point” that Dominic Shepherd (ASP) spoke about in the webinar.
- Minimal correction rate: While manual data often had to be extensively reworked, the correction rate for automatically generated data was only 4%.
- Maximum efficiency: A common counterargument against tracking is battery consumption. The myJourney app consumes only about 2.5% battery per hour while traveling.
- High acceptance: An impressive 75% of member companies voted to replace traditional surveys with this digital approach after just one year.
The human factor: How do you build a representative panel?
Technology is only half the battle. A representative sample of the population is crucial for a valid distribution key. The pilot project provided valuable insights for panel management:
- Postal invitations beat email: Surprisingly, physical letters proved to be three times more effective at recruitment than digital mailings.
- Incentives work: Competitions (e.g., a raffle for a first-class GA travel pass) significantly increased participation.
- Demographic breadth: The panel was highly representative across all age groups—proof that digital solutions are also accepted by older user groups when the benefits are clearly communicated.
Data protection as a foundation
In Switzerland and Europe, data sovereignty is non-negotiable. motiontag's solution is “privacy by design.” All data is processed in accordance with the Swiss Data Protection Act (DSG) and the GDPR. Users retain full control over their data, while traffic planners get the granular insights they need for fair revenue sharing.
Conclusion: A blueprint for Europe
The Alliance SwissPass project proves that the technology is ready for the market. Not only does it provide a more accurate database for billing, but it also relieves end users of the burden of manual documentation.
For transport companies, this means performance-based remuneration based on actual journeys rather than statistical projections. Each recorded trip is priced at the national single-fare rate, ensuring economic transparency across the entire network.
Are you ready to elevate your data foundation for revenue allocation? The experts at motiontag will support you from vision to implementation. Contact us for a technical demo.