Passengers could soon be able to use smartcards for bus and train travel across the country. Transport Minister Norman Baker said he had ordered officials to draw up plans to introduce the cards – based on London’s top-up Oyster card scheme – ‘within a few years’, in order to encourage the use of public transport. Ultimately, the goal would be to allow seamless travel on one ticket throughout the country, although Mr Baker accepted that including long-distance rail journeys in the scheme may be complicated. It is intended that the cards would be topped up in shops, online or by phone, with fares automatically deducted by card-reading technology on buses and trains. The cost of the scheme would be met by private bus and rail operators. ‘The aim is that you get one smartcard ticket which enables you to use it whether you are in Bristol on the bus, on the Tube in London or in Newcastle on the Metro,’ said Mr Baker. (Daily Mail)Monday, 6 September 2010
Minister orders smartcard revolution to allow Oyster-style travel across Britain
Passengers could soon be able to use smartcards for bus and train travel across the country. Transport Minister Norman Baker said he had ordered officials to draw up plans to introduce the cards – based on London’s top-up Oyster card scheme – ‘within a few years’, in order to encourage the use of public transport. Ultimately, the goal would be to allow seamless travel on one ticket throughout the country, although Mr Baker accepted that including long-distance rail journeys in the scheme may be complicated. It is intended that the cards would be topped up in shops, online or by phone, with fares automatically deducted by card-reading technology on buses and trains. The cost of the scheme would be met by private bus and rail operators. ‘The aim is that you get one smartcard ticket which enables you to use it whether you are in Bristol on the bus, on the Tube in London or in Newcastle on the Metro,’ said Mr Baker. (Daily Mail)