Create an Oyster Card for whole of North to boost Olympic bid, think tank says

The Good Growth Foundation and York Outer MP Luke Charters have called for a new Northern Travel Card, which would cap fares for buses, trains, trams and coaches across the North.

They say this could include the Transpennine Route Upgrade, West Yorkshire’s Weaver Network and the South Yorkshire People’s Network.

The latter two will slowly be integrated by mayors Tracy Brabin and Oliver Coppard as they bring buses back under public control.

The GGF and Mr Charters say that this would simplify travel, as passengers would not have to buy multiple tickets, and it would allow people to easily get best value fares.

It would copy the payment system across London and parts of the South Easter, where commuters use contactless cards or an Oyster Card.

The think tank says the system could boost the North’s bid for the Olympics and Paralympics in the 2040s, which is currently being assessed by the Government.

Mr Charters said: “As a proud Yorkshire MP, I know that people here don't want special treatment - they just want a fair shot and transport they can rely on. We're not asking for a handout.

“We're asking for a network that works as hard as we do, and one that will pay back every penny invested in it.

“A Northern Travel Card would finally bring some Yorkshire common sense to the way our region moves and the confidence that you're always getting the best deal.

“As we look to bring the Olympics and Paralympics to our region, this is exactly the kind of bold, practical change that can turn that ambition into reality, backing Northern graft with the world‑class connectivity it deserves.”

The Northern Powerhouse Partnership’s Henri Murison commented: “Northern Oyster or ‘N’oyster’ was previously proposed by Lord Jim O’Neill but Transport for the North didn’t succeed when they were given the funding to deliver it.

“Some of the lessons learnt were that people want to pay on their own debit or credit card, rather than a dedicated physical card, and existing technology platforms and the interests of some of the private operators could get in the way.

“The fact that now so many mayoral authorities in the North are in the process of emulating Greater Manchester by franchising their bus systems will make this a lot easier to achieve.”