Powering innovative Check-in/Be-out (CiBo) ticketing across multiple German regions

Axon Vibe's platform is embedded directly into Deutsche Bahn's ticketing ecosystem, enabling passengers to travel conveniently without fare knowledge by simply checking in and letting journeys be detected automatically. The technology identifies trip legs, transfers, and complete journeys across all modes by combining smartphone sensor data (such as GPS, and motion and fitness), Wi-Fi signals, and advanced location intelligence.

The solution supports Deutsche Bahn's innovative eTarif model — a simplified fare system based on beeline distance rather than traditional zone structures. By accurately detecting journeys, Axon Vibe enables precise, automated fare calculation under this new distance-based logic, removing complexity for passengers while modernizing fare systems.

The solution operates across multiple regional public transport apps, including Tickin (VRN), DB TiMo (SPNV-Nord, VRM, VRT), Ticket NRW, and the egon app (VGN). Built-in fraud prevention mechanisms — such as spoofed-location tagging, ghost-journey detection, late check-in and early check-out detection — safeguard fare revenue while preserving a seamless passenger experience.

The Tickin app has received multiple international awards, including the Ticketing Technology of the Year Award and the RailTech Innovation Award, underscoring the maturity, scalability, and reliability of the underlying automatic journey detection technology.

Germany's public transport system is highly fragmented, spanning numerous regional transport associations, transport modes, and complex fare structures. Introducing Mobile Pay-As-You-Go (MPAYG) ticketing in this environment requires highly reliable multimodal journey detection, minimal battery and data consumption, and robust fraud prevention — all while integrating seamlessly into existing app and backend infrastructures, and supporting Deutsche Bahn's parallel shift to the simplified, distance-based eTarif model.

Axon Vibe had to work closely with DB Systel throughout SDK integration and rollout, leveraging standardized technologies and interfaces to ensure scalability, interoperability, and long-term operability across regions.