Plans to spend £80 million on speeding up the introduction of smart ticketing for rail travel in yesterday’s Autumn Statement was welcomed by online distributor Trainline.
The move, which includes season tickets for commuters in the UK’s major cities, is a long-stated ambition of the Department for Transport.
Trainline chief executive Clare Gilmartin described Chancellor Philip Hammond’s announcement of £80 million to accelerate the roll out of smart ticketing across the UK’s major cities as “great news for rail passengers, who will be able to benefit from modern, smart ticketing far more quickly”.
She said: “The aim of giving every passenger the choice of travelling with a smart ticket rather than a paper ticket, was a bold, ambitious and welcome announcement by transport secretary Chris Grayling.
“The £80 million investment announced today will help ensure this aim can be realised.
“We believe digital technology – particularly mobile – makes it easier and quicker to travel.
“Mobile tickets eliminate queuing time at the station, shaving around 20 minutes off a train journey – this provides a better overall experience for passengers.
“We look forward to working with the transport secretary, the Department for Transport, the Rail Delivery Group and our train operating company partners, to bring the benefits of smart ticketing to millions of UK passengers as quickly as possible.”
Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.
The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.