In the light of the increase of passenger transport between European conurbations resulting from the EC Single Market and the consequent increased demands for a harmonization of passenger information and service in public transport, this paper portrays the necessity for a standardization. Using examples of German developments it presents modern technologies for passenger information and ticket handling which serve to increase the attractivity of public transport, which is absolutely necessary in order to compete with the continuously growing private transport. The systems and components introduced here were mainly developed with the support of the Federal Ministry for Research and Technology (BMFT). An incentive is given to set up a European working group intended to introduce individual national experience and results in this area to form joint European projects. The aim of such projects should be a jointly conceived and jointly built standardised modular passenger information and service system for an international, multi-cultural transport market.
Abstract