Major order from Norway

Ascom, Division Transport Revenue, has won a major order in Norway. Norwegian State Railways (NSB) is ordering a comprehensive, networked fare collection and access control system based on advanced electronic ticketing technologies. The project volume amounts to about CHF 20 million. This order consolidates Transport Revenue’s leading global position as a supplier of complex fare collection systems with successful projects and installations, for example in Lyon, Paris, Milan and Montreal.

The new fare collection and control system for Norwegian State Railways is based on an efficient management system which allows full monitoring, controlling and maintenance of all components.

Riet Cadonau, General Manager Transport Revenue Division, stated: “Based on the comprehensive management system, we can guarantee extensive availability, cost effective operation and maintenance as well as the transparency of revenue flows.” Ascom Transport Revenue successfully saw off established international competitors in its bid for this project.

Full electronic ticketing functionality
The fare collection solution comprises full electronic ticketing functionality. The solution uses credit card-sized smart cards with an integrated chip for data storage. The data is stored and retrieved by a contactless method. Passengers can enjoy the advantages of the smart card as for example planning and booking of entire journeys via Internet. The system includes 159 stations, where 162 automatic ticket machines, 40 service terminals and 345 validators will be set up. As a transitional measure, the entire system also issues printed tickets for more distant destinations.

Great importance is also attached to the security of passengers and the technical equipment. For this purpose round-the-clock CCTV surveillance has been installed at 68 railway stations. If sensors detect any unusual activities at ticket machines or other devices, the video system supplies the relevant pictures automatically to the surveillance centre and triggers an alarm.

This order from Norwegian State Railways underscores Ascom’s leading position. As Rudolf Hadorn, CEO of Ascom states: “This order shows that Ascom is the number one choice for large-scale fare collection solutions for entire countries, regions orlarge agglomerations.” Examples of successful reference objects include the Paris public transport system RATP, French Railways SNCF, the Milan public transport system, Swiss Federal Railways and the Montreal metropolitan area public transport authorities in Canada.

Ascom Transport Revenue is a global leader in networked fare collection systems for public transport, and parking fee and motorway toll collection systems. Its custom solutions are controlled by an efficient, fully developed management system and are based on state-of-the-art, proven technologies.

About Ascom
Ascom is an international solution provider with comprehensive technological know-how. In future the company aims to concentrate on the core areas of Wireless Solutions (high-value on-site communications solutions) and Security Solutions (applications for security, communication, automation and control systems for infrastructure operators, public security institutions and the army). The other areas mainly comprise Transport Revenue (fare collection, parking and toll collection systems) and Network Integration (network solutions for the data/voice convergence market). With a wealth of experience in implementing complex projects for discerning customers, Ascom has established itself in important key markets. Offerings range from analysis and consulting to system design and system integration, project management, engineering and implementation, right through to maintenance and support. The company has subsidiaries in 22 countries and a workforce of some 4,200 employees worldwide. Ascom registered shares (ASCN) are listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange in Zurich.