Smart ticketing 'could be on every bus in Britain by 2022'

Smart ticketing could be made available on every bus in Britain by 2022, the country's major operators have announced.

The scheme would see contactless technology installed on all of the 32,000 buses outside London to enable cashless travel.

Oyster and contactless bank cards are already accepted in the capital.

Meanwhile train operators have provided more funding for a joint project with the card industry to explore how long-distance and season tickets can be loaded on to payment cards so passengers no longer have to print out tickets.%VIRTUAL-ArticleSidebar-Commuting%

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: "The smart ticketing revolution is helping to build a modern, affordable transport network that provides better journeys for everyone.

"By working together, industry, city regions and Government have been able to ensure more and more people can use smart ticketing to get around.

"We are determined to continue driving progress so passengers get the quick and simple journeys that they want and deserve."

Some 700,000 smartcards are already in use in nine of England's city regions.

Britain's five main bus operators - Stagecoach, First Bus, Go-Ahead, Arriva and National Express - are set to produce a business case for rolling out the technology before the summer.

Stagecoach managing director for UK buses, Robert Montgomery, said the scheme, which would be predominantly funded by the bus companies, would be "the biggest smart ticketing project ever delivered in Britain".

He claimed it would be "a major milestone in providing simpler travel for the millions of people who rely on buses".

Melanie Johnson, chair of The UK Cards Association, said: "Our collaborative project with the transport industry aims to transform the way customers pay for their travel and supports the Government's objectives.

"This framework sets out how contactless payments can be used to support any journey, whether a single bus ride or a cross-country trip."

Jacqueline Starr, managing director of customer experience at the Rail Delivery Group, which represents Network Rail and train operators, said the rail industry "understands the importance of modernising train tickets".

She added: "We are in the early stages of exploring how passengers could pay for and store tickets on their contactless credit or debit cards.

"This is part of our wider aim to improve the experience of rail passengers and move towards smarter types of ticket."