28/06/2010

• First UK transport group to pioneer Government's technology on buses and trains
• Over 53million passengers a year benefiting from easier travel options
• All Stagecoach local buses to have smartcard-enabled readers by November 2010
• StagecoachSmart travel cards being launched across UK Bus division
• Major expansion of rail smartcard system at South West Trains

Stagecoach Group is set for a major expansion in the use of smartcard technology on its bus and rail services in the UK, the company announced today (Monday 28 June).

The expansion will build on its sector-leading position as the country’s first transport group to pioneer the Government's preferred technology across both modes.

More than 53 million smartcard transactions are already made on Stagecoach buses and trains each year, including the UK's first use of the Government’s ITSO technology on the national UK rail network and the country's first contactless bankcard payment scheme in Merseyside.

Stagecoach Group has also developed its own StagecoachSmart travel card, using a system provided by Vix ERG, to offer multi-modal ticketing on its bus and rail services using the ITSO technology. The company recently became the first UK bus operator to roll out a smartcard system across an entire operating area with the launch of StagecoachSmart throughout its Cambridgeshire bus operation.

The planned expansion of smartcard provision by Stagecoach will include:

• Completing the installation of smartcard enabled technology on its entire UK bus fleet by November 2010. Stagecoach was the first major transport group to complete installation of ITSO smartcard enabled readers on all of its vehicles in Scotland and Wales. Some 85% of its UK 7,000 buses are already fitted with the technology and it will be the first major UK operator to reach 100%.
  
  
• Extending the use of smartcard ticketing on the South West Trains network to cover more than 80 stations. Stagecoach introduced the first smartcard system on the UK rail network in 2008 and it already covers 54 stations. Further expansion is planned by the end of 2010, bringing the total to more than 80 stations.
  
  
• The continued roll out of StagecoachSmart travel cards across its UK bus division, starting throughout Cambridgeshire. StagecoachSmart travel cards allow passengers to store their tickets electronically and also provide the option for bus travel to be paid for through hassle-free, automatic monthly payments. The Group plans to introduce StagecoachSmart travel cards across its regional bus operations, offering potential integration with other operators’ services in the future where infrastructure and commercial agreements are in place.

Martin Griffiths, Stagecoach Group Finance Director, said: "Value for money and convenience are crucial to getting more people to switch from the car to greener, smarter public transport. Stagecoach is already officially the UK's low fares bus operator, and we are delivering high levels of performance and customer satisfaction across our bus and train services.

“Our investment in smartcard technology means we are also leading the way in the UK in making it easier for people to travel and make integrated journeys using public transport."

In October 2009, Stagecoach – in partnership with Mastercard and RBS WorldPay - also became the first bus operator in the UK to accept Tap and Go™ contactless bankcard payments. The company has fitted its 170-strong Merseyside bus fleet with state-of-the-art technology which allows passengers to pay for their travel simply by tapping their debit or credit cards on a high-tech reader.

A survey last year by transport consultants TAS found that Stagecoach offers bus passengers significantly lower commuter, leisure and shopping fares than the UK’s other major transport groups, with prices up to 30% cheaper.

For further information on Stagecoach visit www.stagecoach.com

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact: Stagecoach Group Communications on 01738 442111 or email media@stagecoachgroup.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

Stagecoach Group
Stagecoach Group is a leading international public transport group, with extensive operations in the UK, United States and Canada. The company employs 30,000 people, and operates bus, coach, rail, and tram services.