Transport for the North to launch trial for Smart on Rail project
The initial phase of Transport for the North’s Smart on Rail project is set to run on rail lines between Hull, Scarborough and Malton, before being rolled out across the network.
Transport for the North, working in partnership with Northern and TransPennine Express, is focusing 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.
Alastair Richards, programme director, said: “Working in collaboration with Northern and TransPennine Express has allowed us to develop and begin delivery of a Smart on Rail project across the rail network in the North.
“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 soon be 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, added: “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.”
