Useful links:
Transit News | Transit Press Releases | sQuid schemes - Transit

eMoney News

Midlands 'to trial smart cards' for rail services
20 Oct 2009

A new smart card scheme is set to be trialled on rail services in and around Worcester next year, which may eventually allow commuters to travel between different forms of transportation on one electronic ticket.

The Birmingham Mail reported that Silverline and Central Buses services are set to become the first bus operators in the region to use a smart card fare from next month and it is hoped that the £14.2 million project will make it easier for commuters to use public transport.

In the new year, the contactless smart cards are set to be rolled out on rail services in the Midlands between Barnt Green, Kidderminster, Worcester, Bromsgrove and Droitwich as part of the rail pilot scheme.

"We have infrastructure ready, such as smart card validators and ticket vending machines, to allow us to carry out trials and roll out the scheme further in 2010 and beyond," spokesman Richard Lakin told the newspaper.

A similar multi-purse smart card was launched in Bolton, Greater Manchester last month. In addition to using the cards for pay-as-you-go travel on regional buses, smart card owners can also use them to pay for local authority services and items at select retailers in the area.