Keolis launched innovative “fraudometer” solution in Besançon buses using behavioral science
The city of Besançon is located in eastern France, with a population of 120,000. Besançon is the historical capital of watchmaking in France. Grand Besançon Métropole has 190,000 inhabitants spread over 69 municipalities. Grand Besançon Métropole has a multi-modal transit network including trams, buses, coaches, bicycles, demand response transport, paratransit, and carpooling.
Keolis Besançon Mobilités is responsible to operate Ginko network, consisting of 2 tram lines, and 18 bus lines including 4 Lianes (high-level service lines), serving 27 million annual trips.
Keolis Besançon Mobilités launched a two-month pilot of new technological innovation on the Ginko network – the ‘fraudometer’. The new fraud detection system will reduce fraud on Ginko buses by encouraging passengers to validate their tickets by changing their behavior with the help of behavioral science and ‘nudges’.
The system is currently tested on two lines (Lines 4 and 5) for two months (May to July 2022). After evaluating the result, the system will be deployed on other lines.
The fraudometer is a factual and entertaining communication tool to ensure behavioral changes in the long term. The innovation is based on behavioral sciences and the “nudge”, a “soft method aimed at encouraging individuals to adopt more virtuous behavior on a daily basis.
How does it work?
1. The system will use the passenger counting system installed in buses and will precisely identify when passengers get on and off the bus at each stop.
2. Using real-time estimated fraud data (a solution combining counting cells and connected ticketing), Keolis Besançon broadcasts messages on board to effectively encourage customers to validate their tickets.
3. At each stop, the number of people who have validated their tickets is displayed on a screen using sensors equipped with cameras. Depending on the level of validation, a message is then displayed to “congratulate”, “encourage” or “alert” the travelers on board.
Long term benefits
Currently, the agency carries out nearly 30,000 checks every month on the “Ginko” public transport network. The solution will help to reduce these costs. Further, the system will alert the checking teams at the stops on the Ginko network where fraud is most prevalent, both in real-time and after the event has taken place. This will controllers to take immediate action or prepare a control plan according to the days and hours for the following weeks.
