Travellers in Scotland can now use all 16 types of public transport smartcards across all modes and operators, aiding mobility.

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson

Although contactless debit card or mobile payment is used for single or return journeys on many transport modes across Scotland, smartcards are used for more complicated ticketing products such as weekly or monthly passes.

In total, 16 there are 16 different smartcards in use in Scotland, covering everything from trams to buses and the subway, but previously limited to one mode of transport.

However, a new joint project between public transport operators, the National Entitlement Card Programme Office, Young Scot and Transport Scotland, now means all 16 types of public transport smartcards can now be used between transport modes, making it easier to use smart ticketing travel while reducing the number of plastic smartcards produced.

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: “To tackle the climate emergency, improve our air quality and to benefit our health and wellbeing, we need to see less single-occupancy car trips and more sustainable journeys being made by walking, cycling and shared or public transport.

“By making ticketing for public transport simpler, we make it easier for passengers to use multiple-modes of travel with one smartcard instead of two or three. I’m confident this new convenience will be welcomed by customers right across Scotland.”

A new website www.smarttravel.scot has also been launched with information about Scotland’s smart ticketing, mobile ticket apps and contactless payment options. This includes a ‘how to’ guide for smart services in passengers’ area as well as links to operators, travel planning services and a guide for available smartcards.