Grayling inspects Bristol smart ticketing trial

Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling visited Bristol on July 6 to investigate progress on smart ticketing trials in the city.

A pilot scheme is being introduced to introduce ticketless travel on rail trips into and out of the city.

‘The Touch’ trial is being tested at stations on the Severn Beach branch, where Grayling also inspected the recently introduced Turbos (see pages 24-25).

The scheme is funded jointly by Bristol City Council and Great Western Railway and is due to launch this September.

Passengers will be able to tap in and out using cards as well as tickets. Gates along the route are being upgraded with smart readers.

“This is an excellent example of the vision the Government spelled out at the end of last year - to give every passenger across the country the option of travelling on rail with a smart ticket or card by the end of 2018,” said Grayling.

He added that, nationally, the Government has committed £80 million to expanding smart ticketing across the country.