Government gives £20 million to develop smart card travel for West Midlands commuters

Dec 29 2009 by Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

MIDLANDS rail and bus commuters face a ticket-free future following a £20 million cash windfall.

West Midlands transport bosses have been handed the Government cash to set up smart ticket systems ending the need for paper tickets on public transport.

Under the proposals, ticket details would be stored on a smartcard, similar to a credit card, offering regular commuters hassle-free travel across trains and buses.

Transport authority Centro must now draw up plans and submit them to Government early next year. The Government estimates ‘integrated smart ticketing’ could be worth over £1 billion per year across the nine urban areas where will be introduced.

Regional Minister Ian Austin said: “This is great news for Centro and the West Midlands. I am delighted the government is investing in the future of our economy and smart ticketing is exactly the sort of innovation that this region needs.”