Written question asked by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Wednesday, 6 June 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 June 2007. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 June 2007 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Fares Technology

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 24 May, Official Report, column 1459W, on fares: technology, whether the proposed timetable would allow for smartcards to be used in time for the start of the national concessionary fares scheme in April 2008.

Answer: The Department is currently consulting on the proposed concessionary bus travel pass specification. The consultation paper considers all options such as whether the pass should be specified in ITSO smartcard form.Our discussions to date with potential suppliers suggests that smartcards can be produced in time for the start of the national concessionary travel scheme.Passes would be used as smartcards in areas which had smart-readers on buses, and used as flash passes (i.e. shown to bus drivers) in other areas. We would not require all buses to install smart-readers by April 2008.A final decision on whether we will require smartcards from April 2008 will be made in light of consultation responses and our further discussions with potential suppliers.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 142072; 461 c1023-4W
Session: 2006-07
Related items: Fares: Technology
Thursday, 24 May 2007
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Bus services Concessions Fares Technology
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk