NMBS/SNCB rolls out non-reserved ticketing with S3 Passenger
On December 9th, the National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB) celebrated a major milestone by going live on S3 Passenger. This milestone made NMBS/SNCB the first operator to exclusively process non-reserved ticketing on S3 Passenger.
The first non-reserved operator
NMBS/SNCB has set a milestone by becoming the first customer to implement non-reserved ticketing with S3 Passenger. This step highlights S3 Passenger’s flexible and advanced architecture that can effortlessly handle open ticketing as a standard feature. This development not only paves the way for new business models but also showcases the platform's maturity, reliability, and scalability. With this, S3 Passenger solidifies its position as a comprehensive solution, supporting both reserved and non-reserved travel.
From bespoke to SaaS - a scalable future
The go live proved to be a smooth one. With it, S3 Passenger replaced NMBS/SNCB's bespoke system that had been in use for almost two decades. As the passenger transport industry evolves and the demand for flexibility grows, the bespoke system proved increasingly challenging to maintain and adapt, particularly due to limited flexibility. By making the switch to S3 Passenger, NMBS/SNCB has adopted a future-ready, scalable solution that is designed to meet the demands of today and tomorrow.
This transition guarantees a robust foundation that facilitates efficient adoption of new fare structures while supporting operational agility. This modernisation effort underscores NMBS/SNCB’s dedication to delivering innovative travel options and ensuring that they can quickly adapt to changing customer needs and preferences.
A phased rollout - steps to success
To ensure a smooth implementation, the project adopted a phased approach. With several project workstreams running concurrently to replace multiple bespoke systems, a structured rollout became key. By focusing on the step-by-step go live of individual components, NMBS/SNCB avoided the complexities of an all-at-once implementation, setting the stage for consistent success at every stage while minimising risk.
The transition to S3 Passenger marks an important step forward for NMBS/SNCB. By embracing a future-proof, modern solution, we ensure greater flexibility and adaptability for our passengers and operations alike. This implementation equips us with what we need to meet evolving customer expectations with confidence.
Collaborating towards a successful deployment
Part of the reason for the smooth go live is the close partnership between both parties. From the outset of the project, Sqills has been working closely with all NMBS/SNCB departments in volved driving innovation for Belgian Train. This was important to lay the groundwork for NMBS/SNCB’s transition to S3 Passenger.
During this collaborative phase, Sqills provided extensive training to the NMBS/SNCB project team, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively use and implement S3 Passenger. In turn, NMBS/SNCB shared in-depth insights into their unique business processes and IT landscape. This exchange of expertise allowed both teams to work together to identify any potential gaps between NMBS/SNCB’s operational needs and the out-of-the-box capabilities of S3 Passenger.
This close partnership underscores Sqills’ commitment to enabling seamless transitions for its clients, empowering them to modernise their ticketing systems and enhance the passenger experience.
It is great to see NMBS/SNCB’s transition to S3 Passenger as the first operator to exclusively offer non-reserved ticketing on our platform. This highlights the importance of scalable, modern solutions in terms of supporting different operator approaches.
