14.10.19
Paperless ‘smart ticketing’ for trains backed by Greater Anglia
Greater Anglia have given support to the Rail Delivery Group, who are co-ordinating an industry wide campaign this week (14-20 October) to encourage passengers to move away from paper tickets.
‘Smart Week’ will see events at 73 stations across the country, including nine of Greater Anglia’s busiest stations, Billericay, Bishop’s Stortford, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Colchester, Ipswich, Norwich, Wickford and Witham.
The aim is to remind people of the benefits of digital tickets and encourage them to make the switch.
National data shows the monthly number of rail journeys in the UK taken with paper tickets dropped by 13.3 million year on year, saving over 1,100km of paper – equal to the distance between London and Barcelona.
Orange paper train tickets are becoming outdated, with only 50% of journeys using paper, down from 63% last year.
75% of Greater Anglia’s season ticket holders are now feeling the benefits of a plastic card instead, and they have today given support to the campaign and said “It’s time to make the switch” to digital tickets.
The train operator is encouraging customers to purchase tickets through the Greater Anglia app or website and downloading the ticket to their mobile device.
Eliminating the problem of worn or damaged tickets and reducing queuing time at ticket machines by ordering them digitally from anywhere.
Martin Moran, Greater Anglia’s commercial and customer service director, said:
“Buying a ticket digitally is more secure and durable than a paper ticket – which could get lost or spoiled - and saves time queuing at ticket machines so they are so much more convenient for passengers.”
“We’ve worked hard, with our partners at the Department for Transport, to pioneer more convenient and integrated ticket products for our customers to make their lives a little easier when travelling with us.”
The rail industry has undergone recent upgrades regarding the ticket barriers to further encourage the use of smart tickets. With these tickets passengers only have to touch the reader a ticket gates, making for a smoother entrance and exit of stations.
Robert Nisbet, director of Nations and Regions at the Rail Delivery Group, said:
“Smart tickets open up the possibility of a host of new types of fares like part-time season tickets or tap-in-tap-out that works across buses, trams and trains. Making the most of the possibilities offered by smart tickets requires root and branch reform of fares regulations and we want to work with government to make it happen.”