October 2013
Rambus Ecebs rolls out full web and mobile based ticketing system in North East
– Rambus Ecebs supplying full suite of its ‘ Paragon ‘ smart ticketing solutions –
Rambus Ecebs is to transform the North East’s public transport system into a web and NFC mobile based smart ticketing system after the region’s Passenger Transport Executive, Nexus, signed up to its full suite of Paragon products.
The deal is the largest ITSO part 11 roll-out in the UK and represents a further step towards integrating smart transport ticketing into major transport hubs around the country. This includes the largest ever commercial use of Rambus Ecebs Paragon RTD (Remote Ticket Download) technology and Paragon Card Management System, which will enable sales of smart tickets via websites operated by local authorities.
Travellers in the North East will start to see the benefits almost immediately. Rather than using different tickets, cards and payment systems for buses and the Metro system, customers will be able to use the ‘Pop’ card for all travel.
Once fully operational, passengers will be able to use their Pop Cards on a pay-as-you-go basis or by using a variety of season tickets, and will be able to upload credit onto their smart card using a variety of methods, including their NFC mobile phone, their home computer, at local shops, Nexus travel centres and at Mtero stations.
Russell McCullagh, Managing Director of Rambus Ecebs, said: “Nexus is a forward-thinking PTE delivering exciting new services for its customers and this is the important step it needs to complete, the development of public transport into a smart, integrated system in the North East. This will be the largest intallation of its type in the UK and we are thrilled to be an integral part of the rollout.”
“We have been working with Nexus since 2011, our products already support over 850,000 smart cards and in excess of 150 million journeys each year. We see what is happening in the North East as the ideal model for PTEs around the UK, ultimately the region will benefit from cheaper, faster transport serving customers over a wide geographical area.”
“Paragon RTD offers an improved and highly flexible customer experience for smart ticketing schemes. However, it also reduces capital expenditure and increasesthe availability of real time management information. As it is ITSO certified, any Rambus Ecebs RTD system is capable of connecting to similar smart transport initiatives which are growing in size and number throughout the UK.”
The service will be part of the North East Smart Transport Initiative (NESTI). NESTI is made up of 12 local authorities across the Tyne & Weir area and travellers will be able to use their smart card wherever they see the NESTI logo.
Dave Bartlett, Programme Manager for Smart Ticketing at Nexus, said: “We have great confidence in the quality and robustness of Rambus Ecebs technology, which has already been a proven success in the region. The customer experience for the travelling public will be vastly improved.Queues at stations should reduce as travellers will be able to download their tickets at home, in the office or even on the move.”
Rambus Ecebs will also deliver ‘white-label’ websites for local authorities within the region, these will act as the ticketing hub for customers.
The solution will be rolled out across all travel concession authorities and corporate schemes run by Nexus including Metro.