Nationwide smartcard public transport ticketing applauded by Sunday Express

On 5 September The Sunday Express devoted its front page to the suggestion that: “A plastic smartcard acting as a single ticket for all buses, trains and trams in Britain is to be rolled out by the Government to help reduce fares.”

“The smartcard was last night said to be “radical and visionary” and would allow seamless travel on one ticket between John O’Groats and Land’s End,” the paper added enthusiastically. “It will be based on the Oyster card used on London’s Tube, bus and rail routes and which has driven down the cost of travel in the capital.”

The Express’ story was based on an interview with transport minister Norman Baker and, according to the paper, “Mr Baker said it would help revolutionise people’s attitude to public transport by removing the need to queue and by simplifying ticket prices. He has ordered officials to deliver the system “within a few years”. And, as most bus and rail operators are privately owned, the cost of the technology will not come out of the public purse. It is estimated that the scheme could save £2bn in lower overheads and faster journey times.”

The Sunday Express also editorialised about Baker’s alleged plans in glowing terms. “Government plans for a new ‘go as you please’ ticket that will allow passengers to travel anywhere in the UK on buses and trains are warmly welcomed,” this began. “It’s what millions of passengers have wanted for years.

“It should spell the end of the ridiculous pricing policy on our railways,” The Express continued. “As things stand, fares vary from town to town and from day to day. A trip that may cost £10 one day could cost £100 the next. Why? Train operators have got away with murder. A journey of 30 miles by rail must cost us the same whether we’re in Wrexham, Watford or Wigan.

Travellers have been ripped off for years but the new smartcard should put the power back into our hands. We deserve a better deal from those who run our public transport and these cards must be the way to get it.”

In spite of the paper’s evident enthusiasm for the transport smartcard, many of the reader comments after the story on its website were strongly negative, with two main themes soon emerging: concerns about civil liberties and doubt that smartcards would lead to any significant reductions in ticket prices. For example, the very first reader to respond online commented that: “To say that the Oyster card is “driving down” the cost of travel in London is rubbish. My travel costs are higher than ever. The only difference is my Travelcard is now made of plastic instead of paper.”

A second online reader, meanwhile, combined the two themes in his comment: “The reason why cash fares on London’s public transport are more expensive than Oyster is because the Government is coercing people to use trackable cards and simply reduces the Oyster cost while pushing up the cash tickets.” “Data from our use of the new plastic CHEAP FARES SMARTCARD will also be added to these ICT databases,” the most paranoid comment suggested. “Our movements will be tracked and added to a profile built up on every UK citizen.”

The LTT-sponsored Travel 2020 show in London on September 29-30 will feature a workshop session on ticketing and payment systems. Reserve your place by visiting the website: www.travel2020.co.uk