Advanced Ticketing Systems

This Activity will implement new and innovative ticketing systems to make sustainable transport modes easier to use, more convenient when changing modes and a clear pricing structure for journeys.

Action No. 1 : Cantabria Smartcard System

The implementation of the smart card in Cantabria has been successful. As the use of the card is spreading across the region more operators and public administrations are joining the system.

So far more than 46.000 citizens travel with the “Transporte de Cantabria” smartcard, and the numbers are gradually increasing as main bus and train operators are being integrated in the network. Currently, all the regional bus operators, 4 out of 6 of urban transport networks, the main regional train company and the unique maritime transport operator belong to the smartcard network.

A rigorous survey is being carried out to determine the success of the measure. Current data show a positive trend. The proportion of travels made with the card in the regional bus services has grown up from 45,85 % in September 2009 to 53,81 % in May 2010

The main landmarks and events of this period are described in the following lines:

- 4/02/2010 – Smartcard comes into operation in the train service between Santander and Astillero, covering half of the train suburban network in Cantabria.

Regional Authorities and president of FEVE (Railway operator) presenting Cantabria Smartcard.

- 5/4/2010 – Urban transport of the Municipalities of Camargo and Bezana start using Smartcard.

- 13/5/2010 – Ferry boats operating maritime passenger routes in the Bay of Santander join the system.  

- 02/07/2010 – Smartcard extends to the rest of suburban train services. It has to be underlined that they include the line between Santander and Torrelavega, the most populated cities in Cantabria.

- Keeping on with the dissemination campaign (painted buses – leaflets-customer office).

- From January 2010, statistical data about regional bus operations (passengers, tickets, etc) are being automatically received and processed by the system, providing reliable information to transport authorities.

Future Actions are being scheduled to complete the system such as the extension to RENFE (medium distance trains) and Municipalities of Santander and Castro Urdiales (urban networks), definition of software characteristics and legal requirements for implementing a common price system or installation of new automatic machines (reload and balance consult) in main bus and train stations. 

Action No. 2 : Ticketing for visitors to Merseyside

A survey was completed during Easter 2010 amongst visitors arriving at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Lime Street rail station and on board the Mersey Ferries. The surveys were carried out to assess where respondents came from, method of travel to Liverpool, length of stay, purpose of visit and methods of transport within the Liverpool area whilst staying. The results of the survey will help Merseytravel to evaluate the new smartcard ticket that will launch in Spring 2011.

The scope of the smartcard ticket has now been defined, it will be available for use on the airport to city centre bus and the city centre circular buses. It can also be used on the Mersey Ferries and at several tourist attractions such as Spaceport, The Beatles Story and the U-Boat Story. Negotiations are also taking place for discounts at city centre restaurants, bars and retailers when the smartcard is shown at these businesses.

The smartcard validating machines have been ordered and are in the process of being installed on all AirLink 500 and city centre circular buses and at Mersey Ferry terminals and tourist attractions. The ticket vending machine (TVM) is currently being specified and will be ordered shortly, the exact location(s) for the TVM is yet to be decided but it is envisaged that one will be located at Liverpool John Lennon Airport and others at city centre bus stations. It is hoped that the pilot will go ‘live’ to the public during spring 2011.

Action No. 3: Glasgow Subway (Metro) Smartcard System

The introduction of a Glasgow Subway (Metro) smartcard system to improve ticketing options for both residents and visitors to the region with the rechargeable and reusable plastic cards eventually replacing paper magnetic stripe travel cards and also making travel easier and integrated with other modes, such as bus, rail and ferries.

As part of the project development, an OJEU tender notice was issued in October 2009 for the Glasgow Subway (Metro) smartcard ticketing and gates and the contract will be awarded later this year. The delivery of the smartcard system for the Subway and SPT’s multi-modal ticket, ZoneCard, will be delivered via a joint venture company, which will be created early in 2011. The aim is to award the contract to the successful bidder in March 2011, with work on developing the smartcard system for the Subway continuing throughout 2011/12. A customer survey has been carried out at main Subway stations and on-line during October 2010 to seek views  on customer preferences.

Smartcard validating System

Action No. 4 : Lower-Normandy Multi-Modal Smartcard

The ticketing project is advancing in Lower-Normandy. Today four partners are ready to sign a partnership agreement relative to the implementation of an intermodal ticketing system and of new digital services in Lower-Normandy. These partners are the Region Lower-Normandy, for the railroad network, the Department of the Calvados, for the interurban network, Viacités, for the local network Caen, and the City of Caen, for the network of bikes in self-service. The common objective is to set up a unique ticketing title to use these four networks by the end of 2013, by using the most practical supports (smart card, mobile phone). These four partners lean on the expertise developed in Lower-Normandy via the pole of competitiveness of e-secure transactions. In particular, they joined locally to political authorities, to high-technology companies, to banking and commercial societies to answer in September 2010 the appeal to declarations of intention of the Ministry of Industry: " territories leaders of the mobile without contact ".

Action No. 5 : Annual Advanced Ticketing Systems workshops will be held for the START partners involved in this Activity to exchange knowledge, tackle common problems and develop plans for the future

In October 2010, Merseyside hosted a new workshop in the city of Liverpool. During this event, START partners exchanged information about the implementation of advance ticketing systems, and shared experiences on future challenges resulting from technology evolution and citizen’s demands. As a result a research on NFC technology and its application on transport systems in Spain has been carried out and its results are being analysed by the START partners for future developments at local level.

Contact of the Activity leader:

Mrs. Irene Andrès-Moro (iandres@cantabriasi.org)

For more up to date information, please download the Project Findings Summary published in autumn 2011. The Final brochure will be released by the end of May 2012.