PubliCar

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PubliCar: Frequently Asked Questions

With the PubliCar app you can easily and conveniently book an individual trip on your smartphone. If this doesn't work right away, you will find further information here.

PubliCar-App

What is the PubliCar App?

The PubliCar App is a mobile application (Android and iOS) that allows users to order PubliCar transport services. The operator of the PubliCar App is PostBus Ltd. 

How does the installation of the app work?

Download the app from the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).

You will be asked to enter your mobile phone number for registration. You will then receive a code by SMS to enter in the app for confirmation. 

You can also add your e-mail address so that you receive a receipt for your payment transactions and can order the newsletter if desired. The e-mail address also needs to be verified. You will receive a confirmation link by e-mail for this.

The registration requires you to accept the conditions of use and the data protection statement.
 

Ordering

How does ordering work?

Journeys with PubliCar can be ordered with the PubliCar App. Alternatively, telephone ordering is possible in certain areas. Please note the information for the relevant PubliCar area regarding this.

When ordering, you need to provide the pick-up and drop-off location and your chosen departure or arrival time. In certain areas, you may also need to provide the number of luggage items. Ideally, you will also provide a telephone number on which we can contact you in the event of delays, for example.

A time slot for arrival will be provided to you when booking. If you select arrival time (e.g. for rail connections or doctors’ appointments), you will be at your drop-off location by the chosen time at the latest. If you choose departure time, you will be at the drop-off location within the time slot. 

Booking the return journey

You can easily book the return journey by choosing the relevant booking in your account under “Booked journeys”, tapping on the three dots to the right and selecting “Return journey”.

Frequently used route

If you often travel on the same route, you can easily book the journey by choosing the relevant booking in your account under “Booked journeys”, tapping on the three dots to the right and selecting “Book again”. 

What should be noted when entering the number of passengers?

The total number of passengers, including children, must be specified when ordering.

If a customer wishes to increase the total number of passengers after confirming the order, a new, separate order must be made for the additional passengers.

How many people can be booked at once?

The maximum number of bookable people depends on the area. Please see the details under the appropriate area. 

What should you be aware of before submitting an order?

Before you confirm your order, please check that these details are correct: pick-up and drop-off location, time, number of passengers and luggage (luggage details depend on area).

Please note that the pick-up point for PubliCar is normally the address provided by you. In some cases, it may be a joint collection point to allow the rapid pick-up of several individuals.

If you do not take a journey that you have ordered (“no show”), PubliCar reserves the right to charge a fee. 

How far in advance do I need to order the PubliCar?

It is possible to order at short notice. In order to ensure availability, however, early ordering is recom-mended. An order may be made up to a maximum of 30 days in advance.

Prices

What does a PubliCar journey cost? 

A normal public transport ticket at the national rate or using the local fare network (single tickets, multi-ple-trip tickets, 1-day travelpasses, multi-day travelpasses, travelcards) must be purchased for the jour-ney. Half-Fare travelcards, GA travelcards, junior and child co-travelcards are valid.

Additionally, a surcharge is applied for PubliCar. You can find more detailed information about the rates in the information for the relevant PubliCar area.

How can payments be made?

Public transport tickets for the zones/routes can be purchased via the usual sales channels (online or sales outlets). 

The PubliCar surcharge can be paid via the app using credit and prepaid cards (in the future also with debit cards).

Alternatively, payment of the public transport ticket and the PubliCar surcharge can also be made to the driver.

When will the PubliCar surcharge amount be charged to my credit card? 

  • For a single ticket, the PubliCar surcharge amount will be charged to your credit card at the end of the journey. 
  • When purchasing a multiple-trip ticket or a monthly travelcard for the PubliCar surcharge (service depends on the area), the amount will be charged to your credit card at the time of purchase. 
  • The remaining credit on your multiple-trip ticket for the PubliCar surcharge will be shown in your account.  

Are ticket inspections carried out?

Ticket inspections may be carried out. If it is found that a passenger has not paid the PubliCar surcharge or for a public transport ticket, the person will be charged a fee in accordance with the directive “Travelling without a valid ticket” at www.ticketcontrol.ch. 

Changes and cancellations

Can an order be cancelled? 

A confirmed PubliCar order can be cancelled free of charge providing it is undertaken at least one hour before the pick-up time.

PubliCar reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee.

Can a completed order be changed?

You need to cancel the journey ordered and make a new order with the new details. 

Journey

How can I find out the pick-up and arrival time?

The PubliCar app shows the pick-up and arrival times. When ordering, a time slot will be shown for the arrival time. This allows journeys with similar destinations to be combined. Small detours are possible as a result.

For pre-bookings, you will be notified of the expected arrival time of the PubliCar 30 minutes be-fore the earliest possible pick-up time at the agreed collection point. You can track where your vehicle is located using the map in the app. 

The pick-up time can also always be found under the tab “Booked journeys”. If the PubliCar happens to be running late, you will receive a push notification on your smartphone. If you have made a reservation by telephone, you will be contacted by the driver.

Where can I see the pick-up point in the app?

The pick-up point is shown in your order and in the travel details.

Depending on the particular PubliCar area, you will be collected from your front door, another agreed boarding location or from a stop. 

What do I need to show on boarding? 

The booking code provided in the app serves as your confirmation and must be given to the driver when you board. When ordering a PubliCar for another person, this person also needs to be able to give the driver the booking code.

What happens if I am running late? 

The vehicle cannot wait for an individual user beyond the agreed pick-up time.

If you have saved your phone number in the app or have provided it when making an order by phone, the driver can contact you if clarification is needed. 

What happens if the PubliCar is running late?

You will be notified of the expected pick-up time shortly before the journey. The time may differ by a few minutes due to the current traffic situation. In unforeseen situations, the driver will contact you. 

If you are travelling to an appointment or are changing to another means of transport, please select the arrival time when booking.
 

Travel information

Are dogs permitted in the PubliCar?

Dogs may be carried in the PubliCar and a half-fare must be purchased for them. 

Exception: you may carry small dogs of up to 30 cm in height at the withers in transport boxes, baskets or other receptacles suitable for carrying animals free of charge – as you would with hand luggage. If a seat is taken, a half-fare must be purchased. The surcharge will not be applied. 

The driver may refuse to carry dogs which can be expected to cause disruption or which will be danger-ous to other passengers or the driver. 

Luggage

The luggage is carried in the passenger area; space is limited. 

Lost property

Search requests for lost property can be made using this form.

Are the vehicles suitable for people with limited mobility?

The PubliCar vehicles are suitable for people with limited mobility and wheelchair transport.

If you have a wheelchair, this must be indicated when booking.

Legal aspects

The General Terms and Conditions of PubliCar apply. 

Coronavirus

The latest information on the coronavirus also apply for PubliCar.

PubliCar Appenzell

General information about PubliCar Appenzell

Ordering

Fare

Service and contact centers

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How does PubliCar Appenzell work?

A) Download the PubliCar App from the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS) or call the reservation number 0848 55 30 60.
B) Book your journey: enter and confirm the pick-up and drop-off location and your chosen time 
C) Make a cashless payment of the surcharge via the app 
D) Board the vehicle and enjoy the journey

What are the operating times of PubliCar Appenzell?

Monday to Thursday  6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday and Saturday  6 a.m. to 11.30 p.m.
Sunday and general public holidays  7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

What towns are served?

The operating area covers the Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden with these permanently inhabited towns:

Brülisau, Eggerstanden, Enggenhütten, Göbsi, Gonten, Gontenbad, Haslen, Hirschberg, Jakobsbad, Kau, Lehmen/Triebern, Lehn, Meistersrüte, Obere Steinegg, Sammelplatz, Schlatt, Schwarzenegg, Schwende, Sonnenhalb, Steinegg, Rapisau, Wasserauen, Weissbad.

The operating area is also highlighted in the app, which uses GPS to show at all times whether and where I am located in the operating area.

You can also travel from and to the towns listed above from the border of the Canton along the most direct route from and to Stein (Appenzell Ausserrhoden), “Dorf” stop and to Teufen, “Bahnhof” stop. 

In numerous towns, there are also connections to the Appenzell Railways.

Ordering

Order 24/7 via the app

PubliCar can be ordered around the clock via the app for use within its operating times.

Maximum number of people per booking

Bookings via the app can be made for a maximum of nine people.

For 10 people or more, a group reser-vation must be made at least two working days before the journey by calling 0848 55 30 60. 

When can the call center be contacted by phone?

Monday to Thursday  6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday and Saturday  6 a.m. to 11.30 p.m.
Sunday and general public holidays  7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Fare

What ticket needs to be purchased for the journey?

A normal public transport ticket at the national rate or using the OSTWIND fare network (single tickets, multiple-trip tickets, 1-day travelpasses, multi-day travelpasses, travelcards) must be purchased for the journey.  Half-Fare travelcards, GA travelcards, junior and child co-travelcards are valid.

Additionally, a surcharge is applied for PubliCar.

The Appenzell holiday card will also be taken into account when calculating the fare.

Junior and child co-travelcards are also recognized for public transport tickets. Children under six years old travel free of charge, as do pets that can be taken with you in a bag.

Groups of 10 people or more will receive a discount of 30 percent on the public transport ticket. 
 

What are the surcharges?

Single surcharge  CHF 5.00
Multiple-trip ticket  CHF 27.50
(six journeys for the price of 5.5)
Monthly travelcard  CHF 100.00
Annual travelcard  CHF 900.00

Junior and child co-travelcards are recognized for the PubliCar surcharge.

Where can the public transport ticket and the PubliCar surcharge be purchased?

The public transport ticket for the journey can be purchased directly from the driver or via all usual public transport sales channels (e.g. SBB app and sales outlets).

The single surcharge, multiple-trip ticket and the monthly travelcard for the surcharge can be purchased both via the app and from the driver. To purchase an annual travelcard for the surcharge, please contact us by e-mail at info@postbus.ch. 

How can payments be made?

Public transport tickets for the journey can be purchased online via the usual sales channels with a credit card. 

The surcharge can be paid on the app using credit and prepaid cards (in the future also with debit cards). 

Alternatively, the public transport ticket and PubliCar surcharge can be paid in cash to the driver. 

When will the PubliCar surcharge amount be charged to my credit card?

  • For a single ticket, the PubliCar surcharge amount will be charged to your credit card at the end of the journey.
  • When purchasing a multiple-trip ticket or a monthly travelcard for the PubliCar surcharge, the amount will be charged to your credit card at the time of purchase.
  • The remaining credit on your multiple-trip ticket for the PubliCar surcharge will be shown in your account. 

Service and contact centers

Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question: 

PostAuto AG
St. Leonhardstrasse 20
9000 St. Gallen

Tel: 0848 55 30 60
E-Mail: info@postauto.ch 
 

Verzasca Express

The ecological future is yellow

Have you ever wished you could order a PostBus via app when your feet are tired from the hike and you no longer want to walk to the next PostBus stop? Would you like to spontaneously go to the next village for a coffee with friends, but the next PostBus does not leave for an hour?

This will be possible in the Verzasca Valley on 18 July and 19 July as a test. With the "PubliCar" app, you can order a Postbus free of charge at the time of your choice. And not just any Postbus, it will come and pick you up in a unique vehicle: An electric London taxi! PostBus has acquired the latest version of this vehicle. Electrically powered with room for six people, a wheelchair ramp and immediately recognizable as a Postbus, the first such vehicle registered in Switzerland will be driving through the Verzasca Valley.

No sooner have we arrived in Ticino with the vehicle than the first people want to take a look at it: "che bello" - the response is stunning.

Do not miss this highlight and book a ride.

Operating hours:  Saturday & Sunday
09 am to 12 pm and 
14 pm to 18 pm
Booking: PubliCar App
Google Playstore (Android) 
App Store (iOS)
Operating area: Verzasca Valley 
(according to the operating area in the app)
door-to-door bookings possible
Travel costs: Free of charge


The app shows the possible pick-up and destination locations on the map. The app's algorithm compares the incoming orders and tries to combine trips in the same direction. It is therefore quite possible that you will share the vehicle with other people.

As part of the development of the "Verzasca 2030 Master Plan" - launched by the Association of Local Authorities of the Verzasca Valley (ACVV) with the direct participation of the local population - strategic projects have been identified for the benefit of the inhabitants, sustainable tourism and the protection of the territory, where mobility plays a central role. The test run is an initiative of the Association of Local Authorities of the Verzasca Valley (ACVV) and the Verzasca Foundation, as part of the "Mobility Verzsasca" project. The aim of the project is to identify concrete measures for mobility in the valley that will benefit the quality of life of the local population and the tourist appeal of the valley. The project is supported by the canton and federal government as a model for multiplication in other regions and is being developed under the operational management of conim ag from Bellinzona in close cooperation with PostBus and SBB.

Based on the experience gained during this demo phase, the ACVV intends to launch a two-year pilot phase in cooperation with PostBus and SBB. Especially in poorly developed areas, such on-demand solutions represent an efficient and sustainable alternative to traditional scheduled bus services.

Contact: info@postauto.ch