A partnership expanding its reach to support simple, secure, and accessible regional mobility
Since 2023, Digital Virgo and SNCF Voyageurs, with the support of the Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, have been developing a digital ticketing pilot program built around an everyday action: sending an SMS. Their shared ambition is to offer a universal, simple, and inclusive ticketing alternative, tailored to travellers’ habits and regional transport needs.
The solution enables users to purchase and pay for tickets directly from their phones with just a few SMS messages, complementing existing sales channels.
Launched in October 2023 on the TER line connecting Limoges to Montluçon and the R16 bus line connecting Ussel to Bort-les-Orgues, the pilot program introduced the first SMS-based “origin-to-destination” ticketing system in French regional rail. Its extension to the Dax–Hendaye line in 2024 marked a second stage of development.
With the extension to the line connecting Bordeaux-Saint-Jean and Agen, this collaboration reaches a new operational milestone, making the service available to travellers on another regional line. It continues the rollout of accessible and inclusive digital ticketing tailored to everyday mobility needs.
A simple and accessible ticketing solution, supported by collaboration to enhance the traveller experience
Purchasing a ticket from a basic mobile phone, without a smartphone, app, internet connection, or bank card: that is the simplicity of the solution. Starting with an SMS to 93330, travellers enter their departure and arrival stations, then select their fare, and confirm their purchase through integrated, secure Direct Carrier Billing (DCB). They then receive a unique code by SMS to present during ticket checks, while the ticket price is charged directly to their mobile phone bill.
This simplicity helps make mobility more accessible and inclusive. The purchase journey remains reliable and secure without a 4G or 5G connection, offering a universal alternative for people with limited access to digital devices, those less comfortable with digital tools, or those far from a physical sales outlet.
Through its “origin-to-destination” model, TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine’s SMS Ticketing service matches the ticket to the selected journey and offers several fares, including youth and solidarity fares. Prices are identical to those available through other sales channels, with no additional charge for sending SMS messages. The solution therefore complements apps, websites, ticket counters, and other distribution channels, giving users an additional way to purchase tickets.
🔍 Explore the use case to learn more about the implementation stages, features, and benefits of the SMS Ticketing solution pilot developed through the collaboration with SNCF Voyageurs, with the support of the Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
DV TICKETING: a comprehensive solution for simple, reliable digital ticketing, designed for mobility operators
At the core of the service, DV TICKETING solution, powered by Digital Virgo, connects transport operators’ systems with telecom operators’ billing infrastructures. Digital Virgo acts as a facilitator between these two stakeholders, coordinating the technical and operational capabilities needed for simple, reliable, and secure mobile ticketing, simplifying the traveller experience while supporting transport operators’ operational needs.
The platform is built around four pillars: accessibility, reliability, simplicity, and speed. Its comprehensive technical solution supports the conversational SMS journey, digital ticket generation, operator billing integration (Direct Carrier Billing), and onboard ticket validation.
Its flexible and scalable design supports deployment on additional lines while remaining aligned with transport operators’ processes.
Continuing to innovate to shape the future of mobile ticketing
Beyond this extension, Digital Virgo and SNCF Voyageurs, with the support of the Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine, intend to build further on their partnership to drive innovation and develop the next generation of accessible and inclusive digital ticketing solutions.
Working in collaboration with French telecom operators, their ambition is to translate the full potential of conversational journeys and integrated Carrier Billing into practical mobility use cases. These innovations aim to make interactions with travellers throughout the ticket purchase process increasingly seamless, harnessing business messaging opportunities to deliver more intuitive and seamless mobility experiences.
This collaboration illustrates how pragmatic, user-centric innovation can enhance the traveller experience and transform everyday mobility, while making public transport simpler, more inclusive, and accessible to all
