Frequently Asked Questions

Introduction

Welcome to the AboAdvisor FAQ page. Here, you can find answers to common questions about my service, its features, and how to use it. This page is regularly updated as new features are added or existing ones are improved.

General Questions

What is AboAdvisor?

AboAdvisor is a tool designed to help users find the most suitable public transportation subscription (abo) in Switzerland based on their travel habits and needs.

Who is behind AboAdvisor?

AboAdvisor is developed and maintained by a private individual (that's me!) who is passionate about making public transportation more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Features and Coverage

Which public transportation offers are covered by AboAdvisor?

Currently, AboAdvisor covers the following subscription options:

Other may come soon.

Are only the single adult versions of subscriptions supported, or are there options for young, senior, duo, or family subscriptions?

Currently, only the single adult subscription options are supported. I plan to add support for other categories in the future.

Does AboAdvisor take into account special offers, discounts, or class upgrades?

At the moment, AboAdvisor does not account for special offers, discounts, or class upgrades.

Functionality and Usage

How does AboAdvisor work?

AboAdvisor uses a conversational agent (LLM) to understand your travel habits, such as frequency, cost, and duration. This information is then structured and transferred to a financial planner, where an optimization algorithm identifies the best combination of travel subscriptions. The results are then communicated back to the conversational agent, which presents them in the language of your conversation.

Why might AboAdvisor's answers be incorrect?

There are several potential reasons for inaccuracies:

What is the source of knowledge for the modeling of each abo?

The modeling of each travelcard or subscription (abo) in AboAdvisor is based on the detailed conditions provided by SwissPass. These conditions outline the specific terms, usage, and benefits of each subscription, ensuring that the recommendations are as accurate as possible according to the official guidelines.

However, this approach is not 100% error-proof. For example, a current known model error exists in the financial planner regarding the Half-Fare Plus travelcard. The model incorrectly assumed that it was mandatory to hold a Half-Fare card at all times, which is not the case, as stated here: SBB help Half-Fare Plus. Another one: you can pause your General Abonnement for one month. The model does not provide this functionality at the moment.

Why does AboAdvisor need to know the price of my journey?

AboAdvisor currently relies on users to input journey prices because it is not yet connected to the systems that provide real-time pricing information.

Can I use AboAdvisor for daily or weekly travel planning?

AboAdvisor is designed for long-term subscription recommendations rather than daily or weekly travel planning. At the moment, such abos are not supported by the system.

Is it possible to log in with SwissPass so that my travel habits are automatically deduced from past journeys?

As of now, it is not possible to log in with SwissPass. The SwissPass Login System has not yet been integrated into AboAdvisor.

What should I do if AboAdvisor doesn't cover my specific travel needs?

If AboAdvisor doesn’t fully meet your specific travel requirements, I recommend checking the official website of your preferred public transportation provider for comprehensive information. If you find that your needs are not adequately covered, please don’t hesitate to provide me with feedback so I can work on improving the service.

Limitations

What are the current limitations of AboAdvisor?

AboAdvisor may not yet cover all regions or specific transport networks. Additionally:

Why is my region or travelcard not included?

I am working on expanding the database to include more regions and travelcards. If your region is not covered, please check back later or contact me with your suggestions.

Privacy and Data Usage

Does AboAdvisor collect personal data?

No, AboAdvisor does not collect personal data. All data input by users is used anonymously for service optimization.

Is my data safe with AboAdvisor?

Absolutely. I prioritize your privacy and ensure that any data you provide is securely handled and not linked back to you personally.

Feedback and Support

How can I provide feedback or report a bug?

I welcome feedback! You can contact me via email to provide feedback, report bugs, or suggest new features.

What should I do if I need help using AboAdvisor?

If you need assistance, please refer to this FAQ or reach out to me directly through the provided contact options.

Future Developments

What new features are planned for AboAdvisor?

I am actively working on expanding coverage to include more travelcards, enhancing the accuracy of recommendations, and improving data visualization.

Can users request new features or improvements?

Yes, user input is valuable to me. You can request new features or improvements by contacting me through email.

Contact Information

If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to contact me.