Using mobile phones to pay for bus and train tickets countrywide has got one step closer after plans were drawn up by ministers last week.
Transport operators have been called to a transport summit this month to discuss the ‘smart ticketing’ initiative which will revolutionise how people pay for the way they travel.
The new ticketing system will be made possible due to the emergence of the smartphone as a reliable way to read and display data, and its internet connectivity helps things further. However, passengers without a smartphone aren’t going to be left out of the plans either because plans are also in place to introduce a national smart card or a contactless bank card which can be used by passengers to pay for travel.
A common industry standard has been created called the Integrated Transport Smartcard Organisation (ITSO) which all companies will eventually be expected to comply with.
Operators are being asked to push on with the new initiative, Norman Baker who is the local transport minister said:
“I want to see passengers able to use one card to pay for a tube journey in London, a bus trip in Bristol and a ride on the Metro in Newcastle,”
The association of Trains Operating Companies released the following statement in response:
“We are working with the Department for Transport on a £45 million scheme to roll out smart ticketing across the south east. Several train companies are using smart ticketing including smart cards, print-at-home tickets, barcodes and smartphone technology.
“Train companies are always looking to improve services and the industry is actively looking at how flexible ticketing can be used to benefit passengers.”