Mobile ticketing on trains arrives on time

Five train companies upgrade for ticketing on the move

waterloo station

The Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) has completed the rollout of more than 1,000 mobile ticketing devices across five train firms in less than eight months.

Northern Rail, South Eastern Railways, Southern Trains, First TransPennine and Arriva Trains Wales have all implemented the Avantix Mobile from Atos Origin.

The device provides quick and easy ticketing on board as well as providing train staff with fast, easy access to up-to-date fare and timetable information.

The delivery of over 1,000 devices at more than 50 locations was completed less than eight months after the initial contract was awarded. The project is being followed by the rollout of a further 560 units for three more train operators.

Northern Rail project manager Don Jary says implementation went smoothly because of the collaboration between Atoc, Atos Origin and the train operating companies.

‘Atos Origin was able to effectively integrate established and emerging technology, as well as demonstrating flexibility to deliver five separate contracts simultaneously to the same deadline.’

The devices incorporate a PDA, thermal ticket printer and a magnetic card reader for credit card transactions and ticket verification.

Recent enhancements to the devices include a faster, more robust PDA, a Bluetooth-enabled pin pad to handle chip-and-pin transactions and built-in printer for credit card receipts and travel itinerary information.

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Further reading

GNER completes WiFi installation on trains

Chiltern Railways puts tickets on mobile phones

Train firm to automate ticket sales