Hacon, eos.uptrade and Ray Sono to Deliver Next-Generation BVG App

In two Europe-wide tenders, the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) has commissioned the Siemens Mobility subsidiaries Hacon and eos.uptrade as well as the digital expert Ray Sono with the conception, delivery, implementation and operation of the next generation of their trip planner app ‘Fahrinfo.’ The three partners are developing a new backend system for ticket shops as well as an innovative, smart app design, creating an all-round package for seamless mobility in Berlin. The BVG’s flagship app ‘Fahrinfo’ will soon combine travel information, route planning and ticketing even more efficiently and conveniently for all means of transport – buses, trains, trams, ferries, e-scooters, shuttles and many more.

With 5.5 million downloads, the BVG's mobile trip planner is by far one the most successful public transport apps in Germany. In addition to fully integrated ticketing, the planned features include an intelligent, proactive travel companion: The new ‘Fahrinfo’ app will provide even better predictive recommendations for selected routes. New features will automatically consider individual mobility preferences, take into account possible forecasted disruptions along the route and transmit them via push to the user. BVG will implement the new application together with Hacon, eos.uptrade and Ray Sono with a user-centered and data-based approach. After the go-live, all parties involved will further develop the next-gen ‘Fahrinfo’ in an agile project setup.

In order to ensure a holistic customer experience, the UX specialists at Ray Sono are working with ui/deation to create a completely new, smart and intuitive app design. "The new UX design of the ‘Fahrinfo’ app will confirm the BVG's claim to leadership in the digital world, and, at the same time, offer a perfect and intuitive user experience to international passengers," said Nicolas Escherich, CEO of Ray Sono AG. The modern, well thought-out and attractive UX is created based on previous experience as well as numerous user studies and the resulting feedback.

Michael Frankenberg, CEO Hacon and Head of Intermodal Solutions at Siemens Mobility, looks forward to the result: “The new ‘Fahrinfo’ app will not only look more stylish, it will also be tailored to the individual needs of people in and around Berlin, enabling personalized routing from door to door. Thanks to our long-standing partnership with eos.uptrade, we can seamlessly combine our trip planning with the booking process and contactless ticketing – a big step for BVG towards Mobility as a Service."

The central ticket shop backend aims at significantly increasing efficiency and streamlining the processes that control ticket purchases. Mathias Hüske, Managing Director at eos.uptrade: “We are very happy to soon provide the BVG with the central sales backend for all digital offers. This project is unique and will significantly reduce the effort and complexity for BVG.”

In the future, all BVG online sales channels will be connected to the new multi-client backend via an open interface. In addition to the BVG apps ‘Fahrinfo’ and ‘BVG Tickets,’ the Berlin-Brandenburg transport association’s (VBB’s) ‘Bus&Bahn’ app will most likely be connected via the API, too – further applications will follow. In addition to SEPA direct debit, credit cards and PayPal, users will also benefit from smart digital payment options such as Apple and Google Pay.