20 June 2005

One-ticket train travel

SPT and First ScotRail have joined forces to offer a convenient new through ticketing opportunity. Improvements in ticketing technology mean that from Wednesday 22 June, rail passengers can travel from any UK station to an SPT subway station, using just one ticket.

Cowcaddens to Cambridge has become a reality, without the need to buy an additional Subway ticket, thanks to £120,000 investment by The Scottish Executive to upgrade the ticketing technology.

The completion of this massive software upgrade will ensure rail passengers travelling within Strathclyde or from any surface rail station throughout Britain, can arrive at their subway destination using the same ticket. The additional cost of the Subway journey is the same as standard Subway fares - £1.00 single and £2.00 return.

SPT Chair Councillor Alistair Watson, said:

"This is great news for rail travellers and follows the recent technological improvements that enabled certain Zonecard tickets to be used on the Subway. These developments make travel easier for the public and support our vision of creating an accessible, integrated transport network and ticket system throughout Strathclyde.

"Such an initiative would not have been possible without the help of First ScotRail and the Scottish Executive and is, I believe, tangible evidence of the kind of improvements that can be delivered when transport operators work together for the benefit of the public."

Mary Dickson, First ScotRail Managing Director, added:

"We know that the convenience of being able to buy one ticket to cover a train and Subway journey will appeal to our passengers and expect the new ticket to be very popular.

"We are committed to improving integration across different modes of transport and this latest development demonstrates how working in partnership can deliver real benefits for our passengers.

ends