60% consumers believe mobile tickets are more convenient and easier to use

New research launched today by mBlox, the world’s largest mobile transaction network, reveals 60% of UK consumers believe mobile tickets are more convenient and easier to use than standard printed tickets. The research highlights the demand for mobile tickets and shows that the majority of consumers (81%) would prefer the simplicity of receiving an SMS with a ticket code, rather than downloading an application to use their mobile ticket.

The research reveals consumers would like to use a mobile ticket for a number of activities, including train or underground tickets (57%), bus tickets (53%), sporting events (57%) and music concerts (55%). Respondents cited the main benefits of mobile tickets as convenience and time saving (44%), better for the environment (22%). Over two thirds (67%) of respondents also agreed that they would be less likely to lose a mobile ticket.

mBlox is already working with Arriva Buses to deliver m-ticketing across the UK, increasing the efficiency of purchasing travel tickets for consumers and helping to reduce fraud and ticket distribution costs. Customers across Arriva’s regional UK bus services can now buy tickets via a free to download mobile phone application. mBlox worked with Arriva and Concept Data Technologies to create the m-ticketing service, which is believed to be the largest deployment of its kind in the world, covering approximately 1,000 routes served by Arriva’s regional fleet of 4,500 buses. Mike Cooper, managing director of Arriva UK Bus, said: “Our customers can now buy tickets using their phone at anytime from wherever they happen to be in the UK. We believe this is the largest deployment of its type in the world, and the service has been a great success to date. We received 8,000 registrations in the first three months and more than 50,000 journeys have already been made with m-tickets on Arriva Buses. mBlox’s Sender-Pays Data service means that we can ensure our passengers will only pay for the price of the ticket and do not incur any data download charges.”

“mBlox pioneered Sender-Pays Data to alleviate any consumer worry or confusion over data pricing, by allowing the content to be delivered with a zero data charge,” said Andrew Dark, CEO, mBlox. “There are substantial savings that transport operators can achieve by eliminating the movement of cash and the operational costs of paper ticketing. This benefits the operators plus it provides a better consumer experience. The service is also significantly more environmentally friendly than a traditional paper based service.”