Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
Transport Scotland has unveiled plans to introduce cash-less integrated tickets which can be used on buses, trains and ferries throughout Scotland.
Smartcard technology is being developed which will allow users to access different travel services, ensuring Scotland has one of the most sophisticated travel systems in Europe in place well in advance of the Commonwealth Games coming here in 2014.
The Integrated Ticketing Strategy for Scotland is currently being considered by transport operators, local authorities, Regional Transport Partnerships and transport user groups. Consultation is due to be completed later this month.
Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change said:
“The eyes of the world will be on Scotland in 2014 and it is vital we have a sophisticated, effective ticketing system in place which provides genuine ease of access across our transport networks.
“We have therefore looked at existing smartcard-based ticketing systems used by other countries who have hosted events of the magnitude of the Commonwealth Games in order to develop something which is as good as anything seen anywhere in the world.
“Ensuring the millions of visitors coming to our country in 2014 experience a first class level of service is absolutely vital, but the effects of this policy will be felt well beyond the Commonwealth Games.
“This new ticketing system has the potential to change the way we all go about our daily business, making it easier to travel across different modes of transport through seamless integration between our trains, buses and ferries.
“Smartcard pilot schemes are already being developed in locations such as Orkney, Dundee and South Lanarkshire.
“Bus and ferry operators across Scotland are also being provided with smartcard-enabled ticketing equipment.
“We eagerly await the results of this consultation on the draft proposals and the feedback we receive will inform the new Strategy, which will provide the blueprint for how we implement a smartcard based integrated ticketing system across Scotland.”
Benefits of an integrated ticketing system are expected to include ease of use for users, revenue protection for operators, market growth, leading to better services and simplification for visitors.
Following the consultation exercise, the Strategy is set to be formally launched later this year.
The consultation document is Integrated Ticketing: A Strategy for Scotland.
Karen Adam is now the MSP for Banffshire and Buchan Coast
