Chair's Foreword

It is with pleasure that I present the first Annual Report of the National Smart Ticketing Advisory Board (NSTAB), covering the period from November 2023 to March 2025. This report marks a significant milestone, not just for the Board itself, but for Scotland’s ambitions to create a more integrated, accessible, and inclusive public transport system through smart ticketing.

From the outset, NSTAB has brought together an expert and representative group of transport operators, passenger advocates, regional and national transport bodies, and technical advisors. Our members have shown exceptional dedication, insight, and collaboration, laying the essential foundations needed to deliver real change. Their collective efforts have ensured the Board’s advice is informed, balanced, and grounded in lived and professional experience across the sector.

The work undertaken during this inaugural period, particularly the benchmarking of current ticketing practice and technology across Scotland, the wider UK and internationally, is key to enabling our work on setting new national standards and developing a more consistent customer offer. Equally, the quick win initiatives we have supported demonstrate that meaningful improvements can be made now, even as we shape the longer-term strategy.

The challenge ahead is considerable. But our early progress proves that with focused collaboration and clear purpose, the Board can offer valuable insight to Scottish Ministers and help steer the nation toward a simpler, fairer, and smarter ticketing landscape.

As Chair, I would like to thank all Board members for their contributions, and our stakeholders across industry and government for their engagement. I look forward to building on this strong first year, delivering practical advice and innovative thinking that supports our shared vision for public transport in Scotland.

Dr Andrew Seedhouse

Chair, National Smart Ticketing Advisory Board