BERN, SWITZERLAND – Holders of transport general subscription and half-price cards will move into the electronic age 1 August, when they renew their passes. The “Swiss Pass” will be issued, with a chip card and only the holder’s name, birthdate and photo.
The type of public transport subscription will be embedded in the card, along with other information, but Switzerland’s strict data privacy laws will be respected, according to the public transport group in an announcement 10 March.
The SBB/CFF rail passes are only the first step in what is designed to quickly become a multi-function card.
Regional rail and other transport groups will be joining the system in 2016, and a number of ski resorts in German-speaking areas are already lined up to include their passes on the cards: Jungfraubahnen, ArosaLenzerheide, Hoher Kasten, Lauchernalp, Flumserberg, Stoos and Engelberg Titlis.
Partner offers, for example from PubliBike and Mobility Carsharing, will gradually be included. The web site, still under construction, notes:
Fribourg from the train, 9 March 2015
“As a SwissPass customer, your customer account here will enable you to manage your travelcard data in comfort at home or when you’re out and about – regardless of the ticket counter opening times. Whenever you like, you will be able to find out about current offers, change your details, view invoices and give notice online.”
Sales of the new card begin in June 2015.
Note: the ticket for travelers from outside Switzerland, with unlimited travel for set numbers of days, is called the Swiss Travel Pass.
