Anyone using public and private transport systems in Genoa in Italy can now plan, book, and pay the cheapest fare through a new app. that has now entered full commercial service after a successful year-long trial.

Hitachi Rail developed the app. which it calls 360Pass and in Genoa is known as GoGoGe. It is the world’s first digital transport app, and following a new agreement with the city’s transit authority, AMT, covers all of Genoa’s public transport infrastructure.

The app is available as a free download to all of the city’s 600,000 citizens and 3,500,000 annual visitors and covers 663 buses, 2500 bus stops, the metro line, two funiculars, a historic hillside railway, ten public lifts, and two suburban bus routes. It also provides automatic access to the lowest possible weekly fares for trains between Genoa and the rest of Italy and has the facility for users to hire an electric car, pay for parking, or find an e-moped.

Another feature shows the fastest and most convenient multi-modal route options, provides real-time journey updates, and allows passengers to check how busy bus services are. Underlining the value of this technology, a recent study commissioned by Hitachi Rail on global attitudes to public transport found that 73% of people would be more likely to travel on public transport if they could see live information on crowding levels on services.

The app. works by connecting 5G Bluetooth sensors on services and at stops around the city that detect when a passenger with the app has boarded, how far they travel, and when they disembark. From this information, the app. works out the user’s best possible fare even when using different types of transport.

In addition to its use in Genoa, a new partnership with Trenitalia (Ferrovie dello Stato Group), will allow also app. users to travel on regional and intercity trains, and benefit from the best rate for their trips.

Alessandro de Grazia, Group Head of Digital Sales and Smart Ticketing, Hitachi Rail, said: “This is a major achievement in our ground-breaking work to digitally connect a city’s entire public transport infrastructure.

“Our completely-free to use, 360Pass app transforming how people travel. For the first time, a person can plan, book and pay for a multi-modal journey involving inter-city trains, trams, buses, metros and e-scooters all through one app.

“This app facilitates travel from the private car to public transport for both the 600,000 residents of Genoa and the 3,500,000 visitors who flock to the city. Its power and simplicity is helping the city reduce emissions and congestion”.

Ilaria Gavuglio, president of AMT, said “It’s an issue of great satisfaction to have made GoGoGe available to all people. It is the first example of an App providing MaaS (smart mobility) in Genoa, and is the result of great teamwork between AMT, Municipality of Genoa, Hitachi Rail and MyCicero.”

“It is an advanced technology that allows the user to move around our territory in the most practical, simple and innovative way possible. Just by using their smartphone, people can move around the city choosing the transport mode that best suits their needs: our transport system, electric cars or train, at the best possible rate. Also thanks to GoGoGe, we are designing the mobility of the future, based on intermodality, simplicity, convenience and sustainability.”