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New ITSO-compatible smart card to be launched
17 Nov 2009

A new smart card that combines payment capabilities, transport ticketing and other services is set to be launched by Aconite and Ecebs.

The card's transit functions are set to be based on the ITSO specification used across the UK, a similar service to the one that Bolton Council launched in October this year with sQuidcard and GMPTE on Arriva buses in Bolton, Greater Manchester.

Aconite's senior vice-president of sales and marketing Patrick Regester asserted that there are "considerable advantages" when transit operators adopt solutions at a global standard.

He explained that these include cost benefits - as equipment can be manufactured at a greater scale - as well as the opportunity for future partnerships with like-minded firms, which he said will "broaden the acceptance and utility of the smart cards issued".

Contactless payment cards offer a number of consumer benefits as well - in addition to the convenience of not having to remember a pin number, users do not need a bank account to have one.