National Smart Ticketing Advisory Board - Meeting Minutes - 1 July 2025

Attendees

Chair

• Dr Andrew Seedhouse

Board Members

• *Claire Dickie: Rail Operator Representative (CD)
• Diane Burke: Ferry Operator Representative (DB)
• Graeme MacFarlane: Bus Operator Representative (GMcF)
• *Kirsten Urquhart: Passenger Representative (KU)
• Margaret Roy: Local Transport Authority Representative (ATCO) (MR)
• *Matt Smallwood: Smart Delivery Advisor (MS)
• Michael Nimmo: Subway Operator Representative (MN)
• *Mostafa Gulam: Technical Systems Advisor (MG)
• Ranald Robertson: Regional Transport Partnership Representative (RTP) (RR)
• Stevie Chambers: Bus Operator Representative (SC)

Other attendees

• *Bettina Sizeland: Director of Bus, Accessibility and Active Travel (Transport BS Scotland) (SRO)
• *Ian Robinson: (Transport for Wales) (IR)
• Juliet Bell: Smart Programme Manager (Transport Scotland) (JB)
• Kat Quane: Smart Policy Delivery Lead (Trasport Scotland) (Sponsor) (KQ)
• *Kevin Ho: Programme Support Officer (Transport Scotland) (Secretariat) (KH)
• Mary Anne Keegan: Smart Policy Manager (Transport Scotland) (MAK)

Apologies

• Hussein Patwa: Accessibility Representative (HP)
• James Gleave: Transport Strategy Advisor (JG)
• Marilena Papadopoulou: Tram Operator Representative (MP)
• Mary Docherty: Transport Scotland Representative (MD)

Minutes

The Board confirmed they were content to formally sign off the minutes from the meeting held on 11 March 2025.

Agenda Item 1: Actions

250311-03 - Closed

All to feed back to JB/KQ anything not covered by the recommendations of the baselining report, and also the Board members sectoral views on the recommendations themselves.

Feedback received for the baseline report. Action.

250311-04 - Open

SC and CD to discuss bus-rail links for OneTicket. Ongoing - CD advised that they are currently undergoing a live procurement process to replace their retail system, which may impact the pace of progress in that area.

250311-05 - Closed

AS to contact JB to discuss the BEEP (DVS) product. Closed. Beep content to present in future as the Board will currently focus on the Standards & Technical Advisory Report. This demo is to showcase how two separate data sets one from HOPS and one from the Customer Management System can be integrated to generate personalised insights. These insights could support an awareness exercise, helping to identify which commercial products might be most suitable for individuals as they approach the end of the Under 22 offering.

• AS advised the outputs from the May workshop have been compiled into two documents: a Development Definition and an activity spreadsheet.
• AS provided an update on the workshop feedback that had been received via email.
• AS thanked the board members for their input on the Bus Open Consultation.
• KQ noted that approximately 70–80 responses for the Bus Open Data Consultation have been received, and confirmed that the analysis is scheduled for July 2025, with publication and further insights expected in August 2025 meeting.
• AS noted the response from Project Coral on 17 June regarding tokenisation standards, and confirmed that they have not adopted the Boards suggestion that they adopt a common standard.
• AS provided a brief overview of the letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, addressed to public sector leaders, regarding the climate change reporting duty.
• AS briefly outlined the letter from the Minister for Public Finance announcing the release of the Public Service Reform Strategy.
• Reminder email received on Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland Act) 2023 of the changes coming in to force in August this year in relation to who can be trustee based on revised disqualification practices. This is not anticipated to affect the Board.

Quick Wins Update

Enhance integrated bus tickets retail offering (Grasshopper, ABC, One-Ticket) - Ongoing

• Grasshopper digital ticket was soft-launched on 1 June, with 240 tickets processed without any promotion as yet by participating companies. Work is ongoing with the ABC product.
• There was discussion on broader marketing efforts, with a localised operator campaign about to commence.

U22s Transitionary Product - Ongoing

• Beep Travel have confirmed they are happy to do the presentation to NSTAB – either at the next Board or as a separate session.

Rail & Bus integrated & digital ticketing - Ongoing

• Three M-Tickets are currently offered, combining rail and bus services, including routes to Edinburgh Airport, Inverness Airport, and St Andrews.
• In the latest reporting period, around 40% of demand has shifted to M-Ticketing, highlighting the positive impact of ongoing efforts to promote barcode based multimodal travel. The system is transitioning from Flash Pass on buses to barcode scanning via ticketing terminals. Live implementation is already underway in England, and Aberdeen is expected to be the first Scottish location to go live, although a launch date has not yet been confirmed.

Pilot Area testing of a single Multimodal QR Code Standard - Complete

• TRIG Project completed on time, and grant financial closure conditions all met. Final National Barcode Steering Group Report draft complete – Final Report due to be sent to the Board by the end of July 2025.
• Additional work is now being considered for funding by the DfT.

New Inverness Multi Operator Smart Ticketing Project - Ongoing

• Meeting held with Stagecoach exploring options with extending the current Grasshopper product, although it wasn’t the preferred option compared to the proposal of a new ticket.
• Follow up meeting scheduled with Stagecoach on Thursday 3rd July 2025.

Agenda Item 2: Transport Scotland Sponsor Update

• KQ introduced Mary Ann Keegan to the board as the Smart Policy Manager for Transport Scotland who will take responsibility for Sponsorship in due course.
• KQ advised that Mary Anne will start with a review of the governance arrangements and principles (such as expenses).
• KQ noted that we aim to have two pieces of legislation laid this year, one on bus open data, and one which brings in some of the ticketing arrangements from the 2019 Act. The ticketing arrangements include refining the definitions which will help with the development of the STAR report, and including tram as (legally) a 'local service' with Rail and Ferry classified as a 'connecting mode'. KQ believes that subway is already considered to be a ’local service’, but will check and update if otherwise.

Agenda Item 3: Sectoral Update

Rail Representative - Claire Dickie

• The central belt barcode ABT scheme trial is ongoing, with 6,700 sign-ups to date with just over a third of those signed up actively using the scheme. A piece of work is underway to understand why the remaining users haven't engaged and to explore ways to encourage greater uptake.
• M-Ticket uptake continues to grow, with 40% of targeted rail to bus link users noted above now using 10-ticket bundles.
• The Retail Systems, including Digital and Ticketing Vending Machine (TVM), procurement process is progressing, now in the evaluation phase.

Local authorities representative - Margaret Roy

• MR advised that they contributed to the CPT's National Attitudes and Social Behaviour Working Group. If new legislation passes to enable the transport element of the under-22 travel passes, it will also extend to 60+ and disabled pass holders.
• MR noted that Roadworks Commissioner Mr Findlay convened a roundtable with local authorities, bus operators, and other stakeholders to discuss the impact of roadworks and closures.

Passenger Representative - Kirsten Urquhart

• Programme for Government announcement on restricting and removing the Under-22 free bus travel for some card holders in response to concerns about anti-social behaviour.
• There are some challenges with the commitment, as it referred to removing the card rather than the travel product itself. This has raised concerns about the potential withdrawal of the Young Scot National Entitlement Card.
• YS are working with Transport Scotland colleagues to explore how young people can be involved in shaping any behaviour code or processes related to restrictions or removals. Additionally, MR has been engaging with the CPT Bus Union’s antisocial behaviour working group to support this work.
• Working with Transport Scotland to engage young people on the impact of the Under-22 free bus travel scheme, particularly those who have aged out (22+).
• A survey has been conducted for around 600 young people and a follow-up focus groups to better understand their experiences and needs.
• Building partnerships with organisations like Flex Pass and promoting other travel entitlements, including a 20% discount on UK journeys. This includes content creation and promotional activities to raise awareness.

Technical Update - Mostafa Gulam

• MG noted that a major city has adopted a Software as a Service (SaaS) model for its ticketing system, moving away from bespoke solutions that incur high change costs. With SaaS, the supplier assumes the risk, and new features benefit all clients.
• Montreal selected Masabi for account-based ticketing, focusing on desired outcomes rather than fixed product specifications. This gives the supplier room to innovate while aligning with the city’s goals.

Transport Scotland Representative - covered by Juliet Bell

• JB advised they have been engaging with the Roadworks Commissioner and other stakeholders in relation to Bus and other travel Open Data provision using the digital travel data services hub (Traveline Scotland).
• JB noted that Transport Scotland has commenced work on its HOPS and reimbursement system procurements.
• JB highlighted they are exploring potential digital concessions options and mentioned that YoungScot launched an app in January, that links to the National Entitlement Card identification, covering other YS discounts (not travel).

Ferries Representative - Diane Burke

• CalMac is progressing with the 10-year award for upcoming contracts, with significant work underway to enhance the digital customer experience. The digital experience has now been defined, including its interface and reporting features.
• A new partnership agreement with ScotRail, facilitated by Transport Scotland, was formally signed by both organisations and is set to be launched by the Cabinet Secretary next month.

Bus Representative - Graeme McFarlan

• Current focus on fleet investment plan.
• Tap On Tap Off launched on Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams 19^th June 2025, with all ticket types incorporated.

Regional Transport Partnership Representative - Ranald Robertson

• Cabinet Secretary launched people in place programme (£23m funding for travel projects).
• HITrans Regional Demand Responsive Transport application (MOOVE Flexi) expanded to West Coast Motors network, as well as Campbeltown. Also new community transport operations onboarded in Orkney.
• All RTPs progressing on regional transport strategy activity including Bus Strategies in a number of regions.

Subway Representative - Michael Nimmo

• MN highlighted the progress on the contactless upgrade on subway gates – aim for later this year.
• MN noted that the changes to ScotRail peak fare structure may have an impact to the zone card pricing structure.

Agenda Item 4: Presentation from Transport for Wales Update on Multi-Modal Travel

Ian Robinson from Transport for Wales joined the meeting and delivered a presentation on multi-modal travel initiatives across Wales.

• Transport for Wales (TfW) have been reviewing the fare structure in Wales.
• The network is in the process of transitioning to a franchising model. Although this is still underway, several operators and existing contracts are already aligning with the new approach. The shift involves moving from stage-based fares to a simplified, distance-based model. This aims to establish a more consistent and straightforward fare structure across Wales.
• The primary objective was to address fare distortions, where return fares had become only marginally more expensive than single fares. A fare cap has been implemented currently set at £4 or 24 miles. The £4 single fare is in place, while work continues on refining through fares in certain areas, including the application of boarding charges.
• Return fares have been replaced with better-value single fares to maintain revenue stability. Two singles now broadly match the cost of a return in most cases.
• To support improvements in bus services including reliability and overall quality Transport for Wales introduced a travel map that went up by 30 pence increments. This visual tool helps passengers better understand fare increments, making the structure more transparent and user-friendly.
• TfW are introducing a £1 flat fare for 16-21 year old on the 1^st September 2025 and £3 unlimited day travel bus ticket.
• IR noted that procurement is underway for a centralised revenue system for bus services. The system will consolidate all revenue data including from mobile apps, pay as you go, and ATM source into a single platform. This will enable more effective data management and ensure all revenue streams are integrated in one place.

Agenda Item 5: Year Two - Workplan - Standards & Technology Advisory Report Completion

• AS provided an overview of the contents on the draft version the Standards & Technology Advisory Report (STAR).
• AS requested the board members review the draft STAR and edit/amend by end of July.

Action: All members to review the draft STAR and edit/amend by end of July 2025.

Agenda Item 6: Next steps & AOB

Date of next meeting: 26 August 2025, hosted by First Bus at Caledonia Depot, 100 Cathcart Road, Glasgow, G42 7BH.