SIA has reached an agreement with AVM Holding (Azienda Veneziana della Mobilità – the Venice public transport company) which will see the former create a digital platform that could change travel in Venice.
Through the agreement, SIA will develop a digital platform that enables both residents and tourists to buy tickets using payment cards, contactless and smartphones on board the “vaporetto” boats.
“We are very proud to have created a Smart Mobility project for Venice, consistent with our strategy to support national initiatives for digitalisation of payment services, in particular in the public transport sector,” commented Eugenio Tornaghi, marketing & sales director, SIA.
“Venice is the second city in Italy, after Milan, where SIA has enabled residents and tourists to buy tickets electronically, thanks to technological innovation that aims to make also the processes of transport companies more efficient.”
AVM Holdings said it is aiming to launch the initiative before the end of the year; crew on board the historical boats equipped with 650 Android SmartPOS terminals to accept payments.
Incorporating modern payment technology is expected to “significantly improve ticket payment and issuing procedures” for both residents and tourists of the Italian city.
Vaporetto crews will be able to select the passenger’s ticket type, accept payment by card or smartphone and print it out alongside a receipt.
The terminal can also read ‘Tessera Venezia Unica’ passes valid for transport in Venice, held by local passengers, and validate all tickets and passes bought at the network of ticket offices, and automatic machines, also by reading Barcodes or QR codes.
Giovanni Seno, general manager, AVM Holding said: “E-payments are now present everywhere at international level and with this initiative we make them fully operational for our entire navigation network.
“This project benefited from the significant collaboration of our IT division with SIA as a primary industry partner and is one of the elements of the technological development of AVM Holding as set out in the Investment Plan defined in agreement with the Municipality of Venice.”
