A leading independent rail retailer is calling on the UK government to universally implement its new technology across the current franchise network before the London Olympics.
Unlike most of Europe, the UK operates a series of franchise agreements whereby train companies run regional/national services.
However, TheTrainline, which unveiled its Smart card at the Business Travel Show, and designed to build on the enormous popularity of London”s Oyster technology, says more must be done to ensure nationwide compatibility.
”We have called on the Department for Transport (DfT) for more companies that do not have smart ticketing to implement this before the 2012 Olympic Games,” TheTrainline business development director, Jeremy Acklam, told ABTN.
”They [government] could do it now without changing the franchise requirements. There is no real barrier for the DfT to say we would like to see all the remaining train companies adopt smart ticketing ” it would really present a proper transport network for the Olympics.”
Acklam says that the head of steam built up by the enduring popularity of the Oyster Card in London, will drive momentum towards network-wide Smartcard adoption.
Trainline Smart uses the government-defined ITSO technology, which can also be added to a corporate charge card or security pass, removing the need to carry a separate piece of plastic.
Pilots will take place this year.