Fare enough

I read with interest the story on the extra revenue generated on Lothian Buses due to passengers not having the correct change (your report, 25 August) and the call from Gavin Brown MSP to look into ways to solve the issue.

While there may well be challenges for operators in handling cash, such as slower boarding times, a “smart” travel scheme would allow passengers instantly to add credit to their cards (or even mobile phones) and thus never struggle for change again.

Passengers would also be able to add funds to their card while at home or to a family member’s card (say their child travelling to school) meaning no need for them to carry cash. This could also improve boarding times leading to a better customer experience for passengers and efficiency improvements and increased passenger numbers for operators.

Elements of such a system are being installed by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) as part of a major upgrade ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2014 but there is no reason why this could not be a national initiative.

Importantly, the pay-as-you-go smart ticketing technology being installed by SPT will facilitate travel by bus, train, subway or even ferry. Not all systems can do this, so Scotland is leading the way when it comes to transport innovation.

David Burdett

ECEBS

Scottish Enterprise Technology Park

East Kilbride