A National Public Transport Smartcard
We want to see the implementation of a Scottish public transport Smartcard.
London’s ‘Oystercard’ has been fantastically successful, and we would like to see the delivery of a similar scheme in Scotland. We believe that this is the one single measure which has the potential to significantly increase public transport use in Scotland.
International experience shows that if people hold public transport season tickets then they are much more likely to continue using public transport. However, we think it important that the Scottish Smartcard provide pay-as-you-go options (as with the Oystercard) for less frequent travellers.
Transport operators in Scotland already have experience of participating in an extensive multi-modal ticket scheme: SPT’s ‘Zonecard’. Lessons can be learned from Zonecard with regard to revenue split, but Smartcard technology, which would be used for any nationwide scheme would be able to give a much more accurate picture of travel, and reward operators accordingly.
We are now seeing steps in the right direction, with a trial due in the Strathclyde area, and smartcard readers due to be fitted in all buses (for the concessionary fares scheme) but we would like to see a Smartcard available for everyone in Scotland.