30 November 2006
SPT hosts Smartcard Technology seminar
At a seminar to be held on Friday 1 December 2006, over 60 delegates representing public transport operating companies, politicians, transport planners and government officials will gather in Glasgow city centre to learn more about smartcard technology.
This seminar is the brainchild of SPT Chief Executive Ron Culley, who has investigated the technology already in use in other cities, both at home and abroad. The Scottish Executive is supporting the seminar and is committed to the introduction of a Scotland wide smartcard system.
SPT is keen to introduce innovative technology to make travel by public transport easier and for this reason, has invited two leading companies in this field to make presentations at the seminar. The guest speakers at Friday's event will be Paul Chan from Octupus, which is the system widely used in Hong Kong and John Stout from Oyster card, Transport for London's card.
Chief Executive Ron Culley said: "If we are serious about making public transport easier to use and encourage more people to use the services provided, then introducing more technology is a must.
"The Octupus and Oyster card systems are successfully operating in two densely populated cities, so we know the technology is well and truly tried and tested. I hope delegates will come with an open mind, but I am under no illusions that the successful introduction of such a scheme depends on all transport providers being willing to participate."
SPT Chair Councillor Alistair Watson added: "This technology is making life easier for passengers in other countries and once again, SPT is leading the agenda on easier access to public transport. We look forward to working with the Executive to simplify the payment of fares for the travelling public in the west of Scotland."
ends