Texting for tickets

Ataf and Fipark will soon start selling bus and parking tickets through text messages, much like the service already offered by Trenitalia. Ataf users can purchase tickets by sending a text message with a credit card number; Ataf responds in a few seconds with a reservation number that counts as a ticket. Ninety-minute tickets purchased this way cost 1.20 euro plus the cost of the text message. The service will be available by late December, Ataf officials report. Fipark plans to have its service in place by January 2011. Motorists will be able to pay from the parking lot by sending a text message and credit card information to the indicated number. See www.ataf.net and www.firenzeparcheggi.it for more information.