General terms and conditions (GTC) for EasyRide.
General Terms and Conditions (GTC) for the purchase and use of EasyRide and electronic tickets by SBB AG.
These GTC apply in addition to the GTC of SBB Mobile and SBB Preview.
A. Purpose.
EasyRide makes it possible for customers to purchase electronic tickets through a self-service check-in process before they board the mode of transport and a check-out process when they alight from it. The customer’s route is recorded and the application calculates the fare once they have checked out.
B. Licence.
All rights to the application shall be reserved to the customer and SBB AG.
By registering the customer in SBB Mobile or SBB Preview , SBB grants the customer a licence to use EasyRide for the intended use of the functions it offers. It is prohibited to create copies, granting sub-licences or transmit other rights to the application to third parties in any way. Neither the content of EasyRide nor the material that it is based on and that forms part or an element of the content may be amended, distorted, adapted, segmented or corrected.
C. Termination.
SBB AG is entitled to terminate the licence agreement concluded with the customer and withdraw their application from the market at any time. In justified cases, SBB AG particularly reserves the right to prevent individual customers from using the application.
D. Liability.
The customer shall use the application exclusively at their own risk. In particular, the customer shall personally ensure that their mobile phone is protected against any unauthorised access.
Any liability on the part of SBB AG with regard to the content, functionality and use of the application, including liability for malware, is excluded within the legal limits.
If the application cannot be used or electronic tickets cannot be purchased for technical reasons, SBB AG refuses any liability for damages that may arise. The poor functionality of the application in no way justifies the customer travelling without a valid ticket.
A. Range of electronic tickets.
1. Available tickets.
With EasyRide, tickets for partner fare networks, cross-network tickets and tickets for direct Swiss public transport can all be purchased as electronic tickets.
Within the framework of EasyRide, all electronic tickets are valid once the check-in process is complete. It is not possible to purchase tickets in advance that are valid at a later date.
2. Electronic tickets for other passengers.
It is currently not possible to use electronic tickets for more than one passenger per journey and mobile device with EasyRide. Group tickets cannot be used either.
3. Electronic tickets for dogs and bikes.
It is currently not possible to use electronic tickets for dogs and bikes with EasyRide.
B. Requirements for the purchase of electronic tickets.
In order to purchase an electronic ticket, the customer must comply with the following conditions:
- They must have a valid payment method. Using the payment method selected by the customer as his/her default payment method or for an individual transaction, SBB AG may reserve a predefined amount in advance (“pre-authorisation”) for validation purposes. This amount will not be debited from the customer’s bank account at the time of booking but will merely be reserved for SBB AG until final settlement at the latest and then released again immediately by SBB AG. It is not possible to start a journey or issue a valid travel authorisation if pre-authorisation fails.
The reserved amount will be used to settle the outstanding amounts. Any remaining amount will be subsequently released by SBB AG. By using the payment function, the customer agrees to the SBB AG pre-authorisation procedures referred to in this clause. - They must have downloaded the application and installed it on their mobile phone.
- They must have a working mobile phone with the Android 8.0 (Google) operating system or higher without rooting or iOS 13 (Apple) or higher without jailbreaking and an activated and working SIM card which guarantees that mobile data will be received when accessing a mobile phone network. The customer must have also turned on the location services and the Bluetooth function on their mobile phone before the start of the check-in process and at least up until the check-out process has been concluded. SBB AG accepts no liability for mobile connection costs that may arise through the use of the application.
- The user must grant the following authorisations when prompted by the application in order to be able to use EasyRide optimally:
- Access to location “Always”.
- Access to “Movement & Fitness” (iOS) or “Physical activity” (Android).
- Bluetooth or “Nearby devices” (beacons).
- Sending messages/notifications (push notifications).
The authorisations requested by the application are necessary to carry out a check-in and must remain granted throughout the journey until the check-out process is completed. - SBB AG must be able to charge for the journeys that have been made but not yet paid for via the payment method specified by the customer. If SBB AG is not able to charge for the journeys made, customers shall be blocked form using EasyRide. This blocking can only be lifted if payments are made for the journeys taken using a valid payment method.
- SBB AG reserves the right to prevent the use of EasyRide in the event of suspected misuse. This can occur without advance notice.
C. Warranty of technical requirements.
The customer alone is responsible for the capacity of their mobile phone, the warranty of the technical configuration and the functionality of the device (including access to the network and a power supply).
The customer must ensure that they have a working data connection and that their location services and Bluetooth function are switched on during the check-in and check-out processes and throughout the entire journey. They must also guarantee that they have enough battery to last the whole journey. The check-in and check-out processes cannot be completed without a data connection. If the check-in process is not possible due to the lack of a data connection or for other technical reasons, the customer must purchase a ticket through an alternative sales channel. If the check-out process is not possible due to the lack of a data connection, the customer remains checked in for 15 minutes since the last data connection, after which time they are automatically checked out. If the customer is continuing their journey, they must check in again.
D. Special provisions on the validity of electronic tickets.
1. Special conditions for electronic tickets.
Electronic tickets contain information about the fare network, the departure stop, the validity of the ticket (date and time), the date and time of purchase, the fare category (full-price or reduced) and the selected class of travel.
It is not possible to purchase electronic tickets that are valid at a later time or date. The electronic ticket is valid as of the check-in process. The validity of the ticket expires with the check-out process. It is not possible to extend the validity period of the ticket once the check-out process is complete. However, if a customer makes several trips in one day, the best possible price is determined for all journeys in a partner travel network (see I. Best price)
The fare for the ticket purchased via EasyRide is calculated based on the check-in and check-out data, the location data collected and the fare regulations of the partner fare network or direct Swiss public transport.
Assistance media (e.g. ticket machines, SBB or partner fare network web pages) are available to help if customers have any queries about their fare before or during the journey. If the journey is not carried out as stated in the query, this could result in price differences to the fare.
2. Check-in and check-out.
Unlike regular tickets, EasyRide works on the check-in and check-out principle. By activating the relevant switch in the application (check-in process), the location can be determined and the ticket becomes valid. The application then records the route. After deactivating the switch in the application (check-out process), the application calculates the route travelled along with the corresponding fare and prompts the applicable amount to be charged via the payment method stored on the system. To determine the location, the application uses the sensors built into the mobile phone and the software installed on it. In order for this to work properly, the customer is obliged to activate and authorise the location determination function to the highest degree of accuracy (location services (GPS) and Wi-Fi activated) when using the application on a mobile phone if the device asks for the relevant permission when the application is starting up. This must remain activated until the check-out process is complete.
The validity period of the ticket begins once the check-in process is complete and expires once the check-out process is complete. The end of the journey must be confirmed via the check-out process. If, during the journey (after the check-in process), the mobile connection is interrupted for technical reasons or if the application stops working (e.g. dead battery, system crash, area without mobile connection, deactivation of location services), an automatic check-out process is completed after 15 minutes and the ticket ceases to be valid for EasyRide. If the mobile connection can be re-established or if EasyRide starts working again within the allocated 15 minutes (e.g. by restarting the system), the ticket remains valid until the customer has completed the check-out process.
Collection of activity and location data ceases five minutes after the check-out process has been completed. The delayed deactivation of the collection of activity and location data serves to continuously improve trip recognition and check-out warnings and thus to optimise the services provided to the customer.. The location services of the mobile phone activated during registration must remain continuously activated between check-in and check-out.
The customer must carry out the check-in process via the application on their mobile phone at the stop/station right before they board the mode of transport. This process must be completed by the customer before they board the mode of transport. They must ensure that the chosen class of travel and any Half Fare travelcard correspond to the settings configured in the application. Check-in processes to purchase an electronic ticket after the customer has already boarded the mode of transport shall lead to the customer not being able to use EasyRide.
Extra time must be set aside for the purchasing process during check-in if the network service is poor (e.g. EDGE, E, GPRS).
A successful check-in and the validity of the ticket are confirmed once again via the application on the mobile phone’s display.
If the check-in process is not possible for technical reasons, a corresponding message will appear on the mobile phone's display. In this case, the customer must purchase a valid ticket in a different way.
As soon as the journey has ended and the customer has alighted from the mode of transport, they must complete the check-out process at the stop/station. Once the check-out process is concluded, the validity of EasyRide expires. If the customer needs to change trains in order to continue their journey, they do not need to check out when changing trains.
The check-out process need only be carried out upon completion of the entire journey within the partner network. The customer is solely responsible for completing the check-out process in a timely manner. SBB AG accepts no responsibility for costs arising for the customer if they do not complete the check-out process in time.
If, via the sensors built into the mobile phone, the application suspects that the customer is no longer on their journey but has yet to complete the check-out process, the customer is notified of this via a warning on their mobile phone and made aware that they may have forgotten to complete the check-out process. In order for the warning to be displayed, the customer must allow notifications on their mobile phone. The check-out process remains the customer’s responsibility. If the check-out warning appears at the wrong time or does not appear at all, this has no effect on the customer’s responsibility to complete the check-out process on time. If the customer has not completed the check-out process by the end of the day, they will be charged for a Day Pass at most, provided they are travelling at a reduced rate. If the customer is not travelling at a reduced rate, this limit does not apply.
If the check-out process cannot be completed at the end of the journey for technical reasons, the customer must immediately contact the SBB customer services, providing the route, location and time when the journey ended as well as the number of the journey. This equally applies to any complaints.
E. Inspecting electronic tickets.
1. Registering electronic tickets.
All electronic tickets are registered electronically and centrally by SBB AG . The customer shall receive an electronic copy of the ticket on their mobile phone.
The customer is not authorised to erase the electronic copy of the ticket before the journey has ended. They are also not permitted to transfer or forward the ticket to another mobile phone.
2. Inspection.
The customer must show the mobile phone to the ticket inspector, and upon their request, display all inspection elements (via the ticket button) and all display levels (e.g. detailed display). The ticket inspector is entitled to check tickets multiple times per journey.
Any Half Fare travelcard or regional travelcard must be presented together with the mobile phone. The mobile phone must be handed over for inspection purposes if requested by the ticket inspector. The ticket inspector is authorised to use the mobile phone to perform a standard inspection. The customer must follow the ticket inspector’s instructions.
In order to make the inspection easier, the customer is advised to change the configuration of standard values for font styles, types and sizes. If these are configured differently, the customer bears the risk if the electronic ticket is completely or partly illegible.
If the customer is unable to present the electronic ticket at all display levels and with all inspection elements or if an electronic ticket cannot be inspected due to a lack of updating or functional errors of the mobile phone or due to an illegible display or configuration of the font type, the customer shall be treated as a passenger without a valid ticket. Electronic tickets cannot be presented retrospectively.
F. Fee for passengers without a ticket.
If the customer cannot or does not want to present a ticket, a valid ticket or a verifiable electronic ticket for inspection for whatever reason, they are deemed a passenger without a valid ticket. The person travelling without a valid ticket must pay a fee in accordance with the applicable fare regulations of the relevant partner fare network or direct Swiss public transport.
G. No changes or exchanges.
Electronic tickets purchased via the application cannot be changed or exchanged.
H. Refunds in the event of customer complaints.
If the customer notices once their journey has ended that they have been charged the wrong fare via the application, they must inform customer services of this within 12 months of the date of travel using the contact form available in the application. If SBB customer services notice that the customer was unjustly charged the wrong fare through no fault of their own, they shall be refunded the difference from the correct fare after the fare has been settled. SBB AG is not obliged to provide a refund or a part-refund of the fare if the customer has not completed the check-out process or has done so incorrectly.
I. Best price.
SBB AG combines the individual tickets charged for journeys into cheaper ticket combinations where possible in accordance with the fare conditions applicable to the journey. This only applies on condition that the customer uses the same application (SBB Mobile or SBB Preview) for all journeys in the period in question with the same SwissPass and the same personal details. SBB AG does not guarantee that the cheapest possible ticket combination will always be charged. Settlement takes place after completion of service.
J. Storing travelcards.
If the customer has a personal and valid zone travelcard, they can store (add subsequently) in the app the zones for which the travelcard is valid. If they complete the check-in process at a station within these zones and then make a journey outside these zones, they shall not be charged for the stored zones. If they begin their journey outside the stored zones and continue on into a stored zone, they shall also not be charged for the stored zone. In both cases, they shall be charged a zone upgrade for the route outside the stored zones.
The travelcard for the stored zones must always be presented at an inspection. Before starting their journey, the customer must make sure that they have the indicated travelcard with them, that they have a travelcard for the stored zones and that their travelcard is valid.
The stored zones are printed on the ticket and checked in any inspections. If zones have been stored for which the customer does not have a valid travelcard, this is considered a journey without a valid ticket or a journey with a partly valid ticket.
A maximum of one travelcard per fare network can be stored.
In the event of a ticket inspection, the customer must present their travelcard and smartphone to the ticket inspector on their own initiative for inspection purposes. Upon request by the ticket inspector, this smartphone and the travelcard must be handed over for inspection purposes.
The Privacy Policy of SBB AG shall apply.
Privacy Policy of SBB AGThe following data is stored with EasyRide:
General information about the customer:
- Payment details: means of payment and charged amounts.
- Ticket settings: First or second class; full or reduced price.
- E-mail address.
- Statement (optional) as to whether the customer has a zone subscription.
- First and last name, birth date according to the applicable tariff regulations.
Travel data:
- Location data and activity data (based on motion sensors, if activated).
- Bluetooth beacon signals.
- Registered electronic tickets (ticket data).
- Calculated travel routes.
The recording of travel data starts when the application is opened and ends five minutes after the checkout process has been completed.
Information about the smartphone:
- Smartphone: brand and model.
- Operating system.
- Wi-Fi signals.
- Battery level.
Processing purposes and modalities.
Personal data transferred by the customer via EasyRide is processed for the following purposes:
- To provide applications for electronic tickets and for the purposes of customer service. Furthermore, the data also is processed for the purpose of combating abuses (investigation of unlawfully obtained journeys).
- In order to enable the nearest public stop to be identified before check-in, location data is collected when the application is activated in the foreground. This data is stored in temporary log files on the smartphone and only transmitted to the system in the event of a check-in in order to improve journey recognition. The delayed deactivation of the collection of activity and location data serves to continuously improve trip recognition and the check-out warning and thus enhance the services provided to the customer.
- For the purpose of further developing the application. In particular, the location and activity data collected via EasyRide is used in non-anonymised form for a period of 12 months in order to further develop EasyRide.
- Anonymous travel data is used to improve public transport services and fares as well as for other statistical evaluation purposes.
This travel data is retained for after-sales service purposes for a period of 12 months after the end of the journey in order to prevent misuse. Subsequently, this data is then anonymised so that no conclusions about the customers are possible anymore.
Subject to the foregoing storage provision and if SBB AG does not require the data to safeguard and exercise its rights, the customer has at any time the right to request the deletion of travel and other personal data.
General information about the customer can also be saved in backup files and temporary databases (caches) after deletion. The final deletion takes place when the backup files are overwritten.
By making the relevant request for deletion, the customer expressly waives the right to use customer service and complain about any trips.
The relationship between SBB and the customer shall be governed exclusively by Swiss substantive law. The place of performance, place of debt enforcement (the latter applying only to persons resident abroad) and sole place of jurisdiction for any disputes in connection with this agreement will be Bern unless specified otherwise by the Swiss Civil Jurisdiction Act.
For questions relating to the application, please contact the people listed at SBB.ch/en or the customer service listed or use the contact form available in the SBB Mobile and SBB Preview application.
The valid version of the GTC can be viewed in the SBB Mobile and SBB Preview app.
Version 2.5, valid from 12 December 2024.