SJ world premieres the microchip ticket

SJ will become the first travel company in the world to enable passengers to use microchip implants to validate their tickets. The microchip ticket is being trialled with customers who are SJ Prio members, and the project will be assessed on an ongoing basis.

SJ business partner Epicenter, an innovation centre for technology and start-up companies in central Stockholm, offers its members the option of using a microchip implant rather than a swipe card to access its premises. Through the collaboration, SJ’s business passengers have access to a daily pass at Epicenter, and several people have shown an interest in the microchip implants.

“Some of SJ’s business passengers at Epicenter contacted us and asked about the possibility of using the microchip for the train journey. We soon realised it was feasible with a few developments in our mobile platforms. And here we are a few weeks later, getting ready to start the trial, which is great,” says Lina Edström at SJ Business Sales.

The technology is called Near Field Communication (NFC) and is already being used by SJ to validate SJ Regional Passes. SJ has developed a function in the SJ mobile test app, SJ Labs, which enters the user’s SJ Prio number into the microchip, while also updating the train attendants’ own validation app. The only difference for the attendants is that they will now have to scan a microchipped hand to validate the ticket, in the same way as they currently scan an SJ Regional Pass. All the passenger has to do is hold out their hand.

“SJ is already one of Sweden’s most digital companies, so this new project could be started up very quickly. The microchip ticket is a good example of how we are happy to try out new ideas alongside customers and help to force the pace of digital development,” says Peter Dahlqvist, Head of SJ Business Sales.

What you need to travel with a microchip ticket:

• SJ Prio membership.
• An NFC microchip implant.
• An Android smartphone with an open NFC function so you can enter your SJ Prio number on the chip.
• A ticket linked to your SJ Prio membership. The microchip ticket is only valid for travel on SJ services, and for the duration of the trial period you will also need your normal ticket.