30.08.13
c2c to trial paperless ticketing across South East
A new £2.85m trial for paperless ticketing is to be implemented in the South East, the DfT has announced. c2c will upgrade ticketing systems at all stations outside London to accept smartcards from January 2014.
It marks the first phase of the £45m South East Flexible Ticketing (SEFT) scheme, which aims to make ticketing quicker and easier. The results will be evaluated, with plans to roll out paperless ticketing across the entire region by the end of 2015.
Transport minister Norman Baker said: “Smart ticketing is the passport for more efficient and flexible travel for passengers and I want to see this technology rolled out as far and as quickly as possible.
“This pilot with c2c is a vital step in making that ambition a reality and will be used as a benchmark to drive innovation across the rail network for years to come.
“We want to build a stronger economy in a fairer society and this will not only help the tens of thousands of passengers who use these services every day but will also deliver benefits to our economy by getting commuters to their places of work quickly and on time.”
c2c managing director Julian Drury said: “We’re delighted that passengers on c2c will be the first to benefit from the Government’s expansion of smart ticketing across the South East.
“We are already the first train company to have ticket barriers in place at every single station, and we’ll be working closely with the Department for Transport over the next few months to ensure c2c passengers can enjoy a simple and flexible ticketing system which lets them beat the queues and makes their journeys easier from early next year.”
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