On track to smart card tests

Published on Thursday 31 July 2008 22:16

ELECTRONIC smart cards could be tested on Scotland's busiest rail route with a view to revolutionising tickets.

Season ticket holders on the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line would see their documents replaced with credit-card size plastic passes which would enable tickets to be automatically renewed via bank direct debits.

Holders may even be able to use their smart cards to automatically pay for one-off rail journeys on other routes without having to buy a separate ticket.

The cards would work in a similar way to Oyster cards in use on transport in London. Trials would start in three years' time after the necessary equipment has been installed.

They would be funded as part of 72 million of improvements pledged by First ScotRail as part of its seven-year franchise being extended by three years to 2014.

Gary Bogan, the head of franchise futures for the Scottish Government's Transport Scotland agency, which is responsible for the franchise, predicted smart cards would encourage more people to take the train.

He said: "The fewer impediments there are, the more likely that people are to travel."

Mr Bogan added that smart cards may also be used in the future as an "electronic purse", with which to buy items such as snacks on trains and at stations.