- This major nationwide project will help the SNCF address important challenges.
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New Parkeon machines to optimise ticket sales to passengers, a key factor in the current transformation of French public transport.
Parkeon, one of Europe’s leading automated mass-transit ticketing equipment companies, has been commissioned by the SNCF to produce the future ticket vending machine for regional transport networks. The new automat will be the cornerstone of a policy to improve sales performances on TER (regional network) lines.
“The SNCF is changing and evolving to meet the numerous expectations of regional transport authorities, to integrate technological developments (particularly contactless ticketing) and to rise to the strategic challenges of intermodality,” explains Gilles de Chantérac, Information Systems Director at the SNCF Public Transport Department.
Named “DBR2”, short for 2nd generation Distributeur de Billetterie Régional (regional ticket vending terminal), the Parkeon-designed machine will consolidate existing vending facilities to provide better sales coverage, particularly in small rail stations served by the TER regional train networks.
“Regional Councils are currently responsible for pricing in regional transport. We want these facilities to support significant progress, particularly by providing better geographical coverage and more available ticket vending tools,” adds Mr. de Chantérac.
The contract initially covers the supply and installation of more than 300 machines, with the possibility of extending to some 700 machines over four years through optional phases.
Not only is this a large-scale project, it is made all the more complex by the fact that the Parkeon machines will offer different functions depending on the region so as to fully meet local guidelines.
Designed on the basis of its Galexio® range, the future DBR2 will feature all the firm’s ticketing expertise, plus new technologies for contactless, electronic ticket sales and issuing.
“The ticketing market is undergoing total transformation. Paper and magnetic tickets are already being replaced by contactless, electronic transport documents. Eventually, ticketing facilities will be less costly to run, thanks to a reduced number of mechanical components,” explains Yves Chambeau, President of Parkeon.
The DBR2 contains several sub-systems (printers, bank and e-purse cards electronic payment modules, coin payment, contactless card readers, etc.,) which have all been developed by Parkeon. The machines will be manufactured at the Company’s plant in Besançon.
“We should also point out that the terminal is very compact in design and, above all, compliant with the latest European standards on accessibility and ergonomics for disabled people,” says Mr. Chambeau.
The new machines will be fully suited to outdoor use without any human supervision. They will benefit from Parkeon’s 30-year experience in the field, as the Company is currently world leader in the production of parking pay & display terminals.
About Parkeon (www.parkeon.com)
Parkeon is a global leading player in the fields of on-street and off-street parking and automated mass-transit ticketing equipment and systems.
Its activities encompass the development, manufacture, installation and maintenance of equipment and systems, as well as related services, including systems management and hosting, which have leveraged a network of twelve data processing centres around the world.
Parkeon is leader of the on-street parking segment with a 58% global market share. With an installed base of over 130,000 machines, the Company’s parking terminals are a familiar sight in over 3,000 cities across 40 countries. Its Pay & Display systems control over 3 million parking spaces around the world. Parkeon also has an installed base of 3,000 ticket vending machines for heavy and light rail, underground and multimodal transport operators in Europe, notably Belgium, Denmark, France, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
Based in Europe (Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, the United Kingdom and France - where the Company is headquartered) and the United States, Parkeon employs over 850 people worldwide and generated revenues of €130 million in 2004. The Company’s R&D establishment, production line and quality control centre are in Besançon, France. Its manufacturing facility has an annual production capability of 20,000 Pay & Display units and 1,000 ticket vending machines/access control systems.
Parkeon was formed in November 2003 after the global-leading equity firm, Apax Partners, acquired the parking & ticketing division of Schlumberger. Originally established in 1970, the Company has played a significant role in the development of Pay & Display technology, in which it has over 30 years experience.
Galexio® is a registered trademark of Parkeon
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