Powering Payments For Europe’s Railroads

Ingenico subsidiary Ogone’s mobile-payment functions are making it possible for more than 500,000 passengers on Europe’s high-speed Thalys train to buy their tickets with their phones via the Thalys mobile app, Ingenico announced April 24.

Ogone deployed the new mobile-payment interfaces designed for the Thalys app, in addition to its online payment website, Ingenico said. Through Ogone’s technology, the Thalys app offers passengers the possibility to pay tickets directly from their smartphone.

The Thalys mobile app is compatible with most of Google Android and Apple iOS smartphones, and it enables users to organize and manage trips through access to timetables and real-time traffic conditions. Through Ogone’s technology, Thalys customers may book or buy their tickets from their smartphone. They can view their tickets in the ‘my tickets’ section of the app, easing on-board ticket checks.

Thalys launched the app in December, and passengers now use it to buy between 600 and 1,000 tickets per week, or 2 percent of the total number of tickets sold, Ingenico said. Eleven customers thus far have rated the app, giving it an average of 1.5 stars, with some reviews noting difficulty getting the app to work properly. “I would give it negative stars if that existed,” said one reviewer.

In the Ingenico announcement, Ogone CEO Jurgen Verstraete said the development of the payment solution for the Thalys app demonstrates Ogone’s capacity to provide secure mobile payment means via its platform.

“We are therefore able to better assist our customers and partners in expanding their digital activities while improving consumer experience,” he said.