Smartcard Tickets

[Steddenm]

I have a Key smartcard issued by GTR Thameslink and found out recently that you can now put other operators tickets on for travel.

I have tried it with GWR, Northern, TPE, ScotRail, TfW Rail, MerseyRail, Tyne & Wear Metro, Translink NIR and SWR and all their ticket machines will save the ticket to the card. The only ticket machines that wouldn't was the TfL ones.

I know the card is ITSO but the bumph that came with the card stated that the smartcard was only available for tickets purchased at GTR TOCs machines and on Brighton and Hove Buses (owned by GoAhead).

Would it be therefore theoretically possible for other GoAhead-operated bus companies, such as GoNorthWest, GoNorthEast etc, to be able to save tickets to the card?

 

[plymothian]

The STNR (Smart Ticketing on National Rail) scheme launched smart ticketing across the railway network to a national standard (hence the name!). Smartcards issued before that scheme remained outwith the national standard and weren't compatible - ie 1st generation GTR Key cards, ScotRail and Oyster as these used a different HOPS (the background database). Most TOCs have now moved to the same HOPS and are intercompatible - look for the STNR logo. TfL (like their problem with paper roll tickets) won't be doing so.

Yes it is theoretically possible for you to load any bus ticket onto a rail smartcard - ITSO is after all standard system - it's the interpretation of the data via the HOPS that doesn't allow it ie buses cannot read rail programmed tickets and vice versa. That's why you could originally used your Key Card on GTR and B&HB as they were GoAhead using the same HOPS.

Moves are however being made to allow PlusBus tickets to be loaded onto rail ITSO cards.