Secure electronic train tickets: Worldline supports Hamburger Hochbahn with SAM-Server

Worldline [Euronext: WLN], the European market leader for payment and transaction services, and Hamburger Hochbahn AG (HOCHBAHN), Germany’s second-largest public transport company and the largest partner in the HVV, the Hamburg transport alliance, are collaborating in e-ticketing services.

By the end of 2019 it is expected that approximately 6 million annual ticket purchases made by passengers via the online shop or the HVV mobile app will be secured via Worldline’s SAM server. As the central security solution for the public transport operators connected through HVV’s transport network, the SAM server carries out the majority of all cryptographic operations.

Passengers throughout Europe are increasingly buying their travel tickets via webshops and as e-tickets via smartphone apps. In view of this development, HOCHBAHN is converting to the VDV-KA format (core application of VDV eTicket Service, the German public transport association) with the introduction of the SAM server together with the HVV – this replaces the existing UIC barcode format (standard of the International Union of Railways). The new system allows the transport company to benefit from the advantages of the KA standard, such as interoperability between different ticketing systems and a high degree of security, as well as extended possibilities for electronic ticket inspection.

With the purchase of tickets via apps and online shops, the scope and complexity of data flow, as well as the performance requirements of ticketing systems, are increasing. Thanks to its proven hardware security modules (HSM), Worldline’s SAM server meets the highest standards of scalability, security and performance.

The SAM server is used to generate the barcodes as a unique ID of the ticket. Passengers receive the barcodes via their smartphone, for example, or print them out and use paper-based tickets. During ticket inspection, staff uses electronic testing equipment to verify the validity of the codes for the set period, zone and price category. Going forward, the Worldline solution will also cover further cryptographic requirements of the eTicket.

Martin Pfefferkorn, Project Manager at Hamburger Hochbahn, says: “The current volume of barcode tickets in the HVV (Hamburg regional transportation area) is enormous, and the demand for our electronic ticket services is increasing significantly. That’s why we need a sustainable and scalable security solution. With the powerful, reliable and future-proof SAM server and its virtualized SAM, Worldline provides us with the highest level of security and interoperability.”

Markus Zahnjel, Head of Mobility e-Transactional Services at Worldline Germany, adds: “The digital transformation also promises increased added value for local transport. Tamper-proof and highly available services that operate quickly and reliably at peak times and support a multitude of customer experiences is indispensable. With the SAM server, Worldline can meet these requirements safely and efficiently. We are pleased to support Hamburger Hochbahn and its passengers using on our know-how, years of experience and our HSM competence.”