Ukrainians Will Be Paying For Train Tickets With QR Codes

Ukraine’s Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure has announced that passengers in the country’s intercity trains will be able to purchase their tickets through their phone. “From December 25 all smartphone owners will be able to purchase tickets via the Internet without printing: just save the QR code on your phone and go to the train, without having to go to booking-offices” he said.

Customers will pay for their journey through the web site of Ukrzaliznytsia, paying for an ticket online with their cards. They will then receive a confirmation e-mail with the QR code which they can photograph with their phone. Train controllers who will have mobile terminals can then check the ticket. Passengers who do not own a smartphone can simply print the email and bring it to the train station.

This system will be trialed in December but will be available to all Intercity+ trains in June 2013, and for all high speed trains by the end of the summer. Similar initiatives are already in place in Boston’s transport system and many European train operators such as Thalys and Eurostar allow passenger to buy and store their tickets in their smartphone and then use a QR code to check-in.