Oyster-style cards on
the way in Yorkshire

South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) is developing an integrated system for tickets to be used on all modes of public transport.

The current scratch cards and paper tickets will be replaced with electronic, credit card-style cards. Many buses have already been fitted with the equipment required to read them and hand held devices are being used by tram conductors.

A phased roll-out of the initiative, in partnership with YorCard and TravelMaster, has started this month.

TravelMaster chairman Duncan Roberts said: “This marks the important first step along a path which we have been developing since the Yorcard Pilot and heralds new opportunities for ticketing.

“As other operators adopt smart equipment in the next few months we will convert a range of products to smart format and be able to look at enhancing the TravelMaster range and opportunities to purchase them.”

David Young, of SYPTE, said: “The introduction of this new technology demonstrates SYPTE’s commitment to making travel easier and more convenient.”