UK Proposes Smart Cards for Public Transport

Travelers may be using smart cards to use public transport throughout Britain soon. This comes after Transport Minister Norman Baker said that plans are being made to introduce the credit card-like technology, which is being based on the Oyster scheme in London, for trams, trains and buses in a few years.

This proposal is aimed at providing seamless travel on a single ticket across the country to encourage people to use public transport. Passengers will be able to top-up the smart cards over the phone, in shops and online. The cost of journeys will be reduced on trains and buses.

However, Baker admits that the scheme, which will include long-distance train journeys, may be complicated. He says that the aim is to give one smart card to passengers that will enable them to use it no matter where they are or which form of public transport they choose. The scheme will cut the administrative costs associated with ticket sales, he explained, which will make travel cheaper and give passengers more confidence in public transportation.

The cost of the initiative is set to come from private rail and bus operators rather than taxpayers. It was originally planned that smart cards would become available in 2020, but Baker is requesting officials bring the date forward to just the next few years.

A spokesman for the Department of Transport confirmed that the government is planning to make public transportation more accessible for passengers. Smart card technology may play a key role in improving the experience of travel by making it quicker and easier to buy and use tickets, he continued, adding that this is why they are working with rail and bus operators to introduce the technology throughout the nation.