Introduction

The National Smart Ticketing Advisory Board (NSTAB) was established to provide independent, expert advice to Scottish Ministers on the development of a modern, integrated smart ticketing system for public transport across Scotland. Its statutory remit is advisory rather than operational: the Board does not deliver projects directly but offers strategic guidance on standards, governance, and long-term priorities that underpin reform.

The preparation of this Standards & Technology Advisory Report (STAR) reflects NSTAB’s role in bringing together evidence, stakeholder perspectives, and technical expertise to inform national decision-making. The report is intended as a reference framework, providing government with structured advice on how to advance smart and integrated ticketing in a way that supports Scotland’s transport, climate, and social inclusion objectives.

While the Executive Summary sets out the headline priorities and technical pathways, this introduction highlights the basis of NSTAB’s work. The Board operates independently of delivery bodies, enabling it to provide impartial assessments that balance the perspectives of operators, authorities, and passengers. Its approach is grounded in evidence, policy alignment, and a commitment to ensuring that smart ticketing reforms remain customer-focused, equitable, and adaptable to emerging technologies.

With the commitment from the Government within the Fair Fares Review to develop a national integrated ticketing system, the STAR report has been prepared to provide advice and guidance which will assist with this delivery.  It consolidates more than 150 recommendations into a structured programme of short, medium, and long-term priorities. 

However, the STAR report is not a delivery plan but a set of standards-led recommendations and strategic oversight. It seeks to give Ministers clarity on the options available, confidence in the robustness of proposed approaches, and assurance that ticketing reform is being guided by impartial expertise. By doing so, NSTAB aims to ensure that the future of Scotland’s ticketing system is sustainable, interoperable, and inclusive, and that it continues to evolve in line with national priorities and passenger needs.