Public transport A-Welle abolishes discount on paper multi-ride tickets

The "A-Welle" fare network in the cantons of Aargau and Solothurn will continue to offer multi-ride tickets on paper. However, in order to promote the switch to electronic solutions, the current discount will be abolished. Electronic tickets will be cheaper instead, as the fare association announced.

As in Switzerland as a whole, sales of multiple-journey tickets and multi-tickets on paper are also "drastically declining" in the A-Welle region, the fare association announced on Monday. The expensive devices for stamping in vehicles, vending machines, stops and on train barriers are no longer profitable and alternatives have long been on the market.

Multi-ride tickets will continue to be offered "for the time being", it added. However, the discount will be discontinued from the official timetable change on December 15, 2024 to encourage the switch to electronic solutions such as Fairtiq, EasyRide, prepaid cards or online tickets. According to the fare association, users of electronic tickets will also be rewarded with new discount models. These will be introduced gradually.

Last July, the industry organization Alliance Swiss Pass decided that paper validation cards should continue to be sold on public transport. However, the nationwide obligation to operate validators will cease at the end of 2025; they can continue to be operated regionally.

Tickets for people without a smartphone

Paper validation cards are to remain part of the public transport product range until the successor solutions have been introduced to the market. According to the industry organization, these should be designed in such a way that public transport remains easily accessible for everyone - including children travelling alone and people without smartphones.

SDA