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PTEG supports govt contactless smart card plans
24 Aug 2009

Transports chiefs in the UK are in support of the government's new plans to introduce contactless smart card technology as a method of paying for trains, buses and the like across the country.

Jonathan Bray, director of the Passenger Transport Executive Group (PTEG) Support Unit, said: "We fully share the government's ambition to see smart ticketing introduced across Britain's largest urban areas as soon as possible."

He also highlighted the success of the Oyster card in London and said that it has become "intrinsic to London life".

The comments came as the government launched a consultation paper on smart card usage on public transport.

Some of the key benefits of using this technology are the fact passengers will be able to load tickets with credit in advance, while smart tickets are harder to replicate than paper-based documents so they could be a welcome security measure too.

In Bolton, Greater Manchester residents will soon be able to use sQuid enabled contactless smartcards as a method of payment on local buses.