Posts Tagged ‘eIdentity’

Since 4 June 2009, it has been possible for those traveling the Belgian railways to use their Belgian electronic identity card (eID) as a valid train ticket. The new eService is the first of its kind in Europe.  

The procedure is convenient, simple, fast and environment friendly. The user buys a train ticket online via the website of the national railway company (SNCB) without having to print the ticket, as the latter goes automatically transferred to his/her eID card. Once on the train, the traveler shows his/her eID card to the ticket collector who will scan it and thus view the ticket.

This system is expected to be used in future for all types of subscriptions, or even to enable passengers to directly benefit from the discounts they are entitled to.

The SNCB management and Federal ministers Steven Vanackere (Minister for Public Companies) and Vincent Van Quickenborne (Minister for Simplification) welcomed the achievement: “Many people say they only use their eID card once a year. Thanks to the new application, they will be able to use it more often” Minister Van Quickenborne said.

Mnister Vanackere stressed that this use of the eID card is complementary to that of MoBIB, the new Brussels public transportation pass which gathers one’s transportation contracts (subscriptions, multiple travel cards or preferential tickets).  

Since March 2004, the SNCB has sold over 1 million train tickets by electronic means. The railway company forecasts to sell several millions of paperless tickets in the medium term thanks to the eID.
 
Source: ePractice.eu