ITSO smart tickets now online
Chippenham, 14 April 2010 – Go-ahead Group has just launched the UK’s first ITSO-based smartcard trial incorporating online ticket sales, across its London Midland rail franchise. Underpinning this is the ACT ITSO compliant HOPS ticketing systems coupled with the ACT Customer Management System (CMS) and rail Retail Fulfilment Service (RFS).
Called The Key, the smartcard is based on the ITSO industry standard mandated by the Department for Transport (DfT). The trial started in the second week of February in the Worcester area ahead of a wider rollout over in the next three to four months.
As the technical design authority for the project, ACT (Applied Card Technologies) has worked closely with the London Midland project team and third party suppliers to complete the IT project delivery on time. The work programme included the integration of 9 supplier system interfaces to the ACT managed back offices systems to fully enable smart ticketing on the London Midland rail network. The ACT HOPS, CMS (Customer Management System) and new rail ticket Fulfilment service are central to the schemes operation and host all transaction and customer data.
The complex integration of multiple systems created significant challenges for this industry first, but ACT has created a sophisticated solution that integrates platform and train readers , ticket vending machines, online ticket purchasing and platform validators with the ACT central back office (HOPS, CMS and rail fulfilment service) managed and operated by ACT for London Midland.
ACT Senior Project Manager, Hugo Croucher said “ACT is delighted to have been awarded the contract to lead this complex, exciting, land mark project. The complexities of managing the multiple supplier systems cannot be overstated, but the end result demonstrates the benefit of exploiting smart technology to provide an easier, convenient travel experience for London Midland season ticket holders”.
This is the first UK smartcard scheme where passengers will be able to buy rail tickets online using travel passes enabled with smart technology and will significantly reduce passengers’ time spent in queues. Its successful implementation has ensured that London Midland achieve their commitment to the DfT’s Smart Ticketing mandate.
Dave Lynch, Technology and Procurement Director, Go-Ahead Group said “As our chosen ITSO design authority and central back office provider, ACT has worked well with the London Midland project team and third party suppliers. ACT ITSO design expertise and systems integration capability has provided an excellent focal point for the project delivery and has underpinned the successful delivery of our smart ticketing vision for our customers, creating a market first for London Midland. As with any large complex IT project, system integration was always expected to be challenging. With that backdrop, ACT has succeeded in integrating all 9 interfaces to their central back office systems which now provides London Midland with a complete end-to-end solution”.
This is the first UK smartcard scheme where passengers will be able to buy rail tickets online using travel passes enabled with smart technology and will significantly reduce passengers’ time spent in queues. Its successful implementation has ensured that London Midland achieve their commitment to the DfT’s Smart Ticketing mandate.
Third party project suppliers interfacing the central systems include ERG, ESP, ATOS Origin, Cubic and Imaginet.
For further information please contact: Joanne Hutchinson Marketing Executive Applied Card Technologies Limited T : 01249 751200 F : 01249 751201 W: www.card.co.uk E: joanne.hutchinson@card.co.uk
