Transport for the North launches smartcard project

The initial phase will be run on rail lines between Hull, Scarborough and Malton, before being rolled-out across the network. The initial focus is on upgrading customers’ tickets from paper to smartcard, starting with passengers buying season tickets on a smartcard at a ticket office.

This has been enabled with the upgrade of station ticket offices across the North in readiness for the move to smartcards and will eventually support contactless, capped payments right across the bus, tram and rail network.

Programme Director at Transport for the North, Alastair Richards, said: “The launch of the smartcard project is a vital first step in the delivery of an even more ambitious, integrated smart travel system for the whole of the North. We hope it is well received by customers and sets the standard for future smart innovations.”

Rail passengers will see a series of improvements to the way they buy and use tickets over the coming months, including being able to buy online and load tickets on to their smartcards at gatelines, such as those at Leeds, without having to queue at ticket machines or ticket offices.

Mark Powles, Commercial Director at Northern said: “This trial is an exciting development in improving our customers’ overall experience. Smart tickets will modernise the way our customers buy tickets, adding greater convenience and introducing significant benefits for our season ticket holders.”

Darren Higgins, Commercial Director for TransPennine Express said: “The introduction of smart ticketing is excellent news for customers and we would encourage season ticket holders in Hull, Malton and Scarborough to give the new cards a go. We are committed to delivering improvements and smart ticketing offers greater choice, flexibility and convenience for customers.”

The work on the rail network is the first phase of Transport for the North’s Integrated and Smart Travel programme. Funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and part of the Smart Ticketing on National Rail (STNR) programme, the project will deliver the full initiative over the next few years. When all three phases are complete, it will be easier for passengers to make multi-mode, multi-operator, price-capped journeys across the North of the UK in ways that are simpler to plan, easier to pay for and access, and better value for money. The ultimate aim is for customers to be able to use contactless bank cards and trust that they will be charged the best price for that day’s or week’s travel.