MULTIPLE-FARE MACHINES FOR MODERNIZED TICKET ISSUING ON THE DB

It was only in the early 1960s that the DB started to employ ticket-issuing machines in large numbers. These machines could issue only one class of ticket, and also were without data acquisition, so several machines were necessary for a range of fares. With the introduction of large integrated transport systems it became essential to have multiple-fare machines. The DB's central office in Munich therefore started in 1975 with the development of a multitariff standard ticket machine for various types of fare structures. The standard issuer is a multiple-fare cash-safe machine with a self-filling change return, and also can be fitted with a banknote processor if this is required. After this standard DB ticket issuer had proved its worth on numerous local transport systems, it was adopted for use in general railway travel in 1979. With the Modernized Ticket Issuing project MOFA a concept was created for the first time which includes every ticketing function in a self-contained DB system for the greatest possible degree of customer self-service. At present more than 3,000 local-transport ticket machines are relieving ticket-office personnel of time-consuming routine work at almost every station and are thus contributing to a better service for rail travellers.