Questions and answers

The new user interface

• Why are the ticket machines being given a new user interface?

  The current user interface has been in use for more than 15 years and is no longer fit for modern demands. Going forward, ÖBB wants to offer its customers a standardised look and operating system for ticket purchases across all sales channels.

  The process of buying tickets will always be the same - regardless of whether you buy your ticket at a ticket machine or book it in the ÖBB app or online at tickets.oebb.at. The aim was to create a user interface that would cater for the most wide-ranging user groups.

• What advantages will the changeover bring?

  The new user interface offers customers more features, more information and more stations. In the future, it will be possible to book tickets directly to your destination, including local network tickets for buses, trains and trams to more than 40,000 stations and stops all over Austria.

  • The user interface was developed in collaboration with customers: more than 11,000 customers provided extensive feedback on the operating system and user experience in usability tests and surveys.
  • Readability has also been significantly improved thanks to increased colour contrasts
  • Keyboard operation has also been significantly improved: the spacing between the keys has been designed to make typing and writing much easier than with conventional machines. The ticket machine also provides connection information: customers will see the next available services with departure and arrival times at the machine itself.
• Are these all the advantages of the new user interface?

  No, the ticket machine offers even more: another advantage of the new ticket vending machine is the new accessible "Easy Read Mode", whereby the new interface allows users to switch to a display with high contrast that is very easy to read:

  • Tap the "Simple navigation" button to switch to this view.
  • This interface offers larger lettering and higher contrast for people with impaired vision.
  • The place of departure is always the current location and cannot be changed.
  • There is only one question on each screen.

  Blind passengers can buy their ticket at the ticket machine by calling 05-1717 25. This telephone number is also printed in Braille on every ticket machine. If customers need help buying a ticket at the ticket machine, the staff will guide them through the purchase process over the phone.

• Is the new ticket machine interface accessible?

  Yes, the NEW ticket machine is visually accessible: there is a "Simple Navigation" mode. Both simple language and better visibility of buttons (black/white, blue/yellow) are used here. As before, people with visual impairments can still use the hotline at the ticket machine for assistance when purchasing tickets.

• A train connection must be selected at the ticket machine. Does this mean that there is a train connection for these tickets?

  No, not necessarily. The connections displayed give you information about the next train connections. ÖBB standard tickets are valid on all ÖBB trains (except night trains) for the selected route for 2 days from the point at which they become valid. Einfach-Raus tickets are valid on all local and regional trains between 9 am and 3 am on the following day. Any requirements to travel on specific trains are clearly stated in the ticket offer and on the ticket.

• Why do I have to select a particular train service at the ticket machine?

  A connection must be selected so that the ticket machine can calculate the appropriate fare. The connection can consist of a train, bus or tram journey or a combination of two or all three means of transport (a so-called Kombiticket).

• What does "specified train only" mean exactly?

  It means that the ticket is only valid for the selected service on the chosen day and time.

• What times does the ticket machine show?

  The ticket machine is programmed to show the timetable times as per the scheduled timetable. This is intentional so that passengers can find their way around and easily orientate themselves.

  Any delays are therefore not displayed on the ticket machine itself. These can be viewed at any time on the display boards in the bus stop area or at the ÖBB ticket desk. The relevant ÖBB staff will also be happy to provide information.

  For your information: The connections and times displayed on the ticket machine are purely information about the next scheduled connections. ÖBB standard tickets are valid on all ÖBB trains (except night trains) for the selected route for 2 days from the point at which they become valid. This means that any other connection that runs on this route can also be used within these two days.

• How long are ÖBB tickets valid for?

  ÖBB standard tickets are valid on all ÖBB trains (except night trains) for the selected route for two days from the point at which they become valid, while Einfach-Raus tickets are valid on all local and regional trains between 9 am and 3 am on the following day (or all day on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays). Exclusive fares apply in transport associations. The validity of transport association tickets depends on their fares.