Smart card ticket on trial at Kidderminster station (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Smart card ticket on trial at Kidderminster station

7:50am Monday 8th February 2010

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A TICKET system similar to London's Oyster Card is being trialled at Kidderminster train station.

The season ticket - called The Key - can be swiped at station exit barriers without the need for buying tickets.

About 24 travellers have been chosen to test out the new card, with plans to introduce it across the network if it proves a success.

It is hoped the card, which can be bought or topped up with credit online, will reduce queues.

The Stourbridge Line User Group (SLUG), representing passengers on the Worcester to Birmingham railway, has praised the new system, introduced by train operator London Midland.

Chairman Rob Hebron said: “The smartcard is the way forward for integrated public transport. The technology is there to upgrade The Key so it can pay for multi-modal journeys in the same way as the London Oyster Card.

“The effects of the fragmented, private and competitive network can be reversed in one bold move and all the various operators would benefit.

The card is being tested at Worcester’s Foregate Street and Shrub Hill stations and Droitwich Spa, as well as Kidderminster.

Mr Hebron said: “SLUG not only protects the Stourbridge line but promotes it, because it provides so many gateways to places of interest.

“If we can encourage train and bus operators to work together, we can make public transport even more attractive by providing more journey opportunities with one single payment.

He added the new train and bus interchange at Kidderminster, which is scheduled to be completed by 2011, would be an ideal time to introduce the scheme.

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