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Team meeting

STAG Task Forces

STAG currently has four task forces TF1, TF2, TF3 and TF4 which are looking to provide guidance and propose specifications for emerging smart transport solutions and solutions which benefit from greater collaboration.  Task Forces Consist of Members of STAG alongside other leading experts in the specific field.

Working on Train

TF1

Account Based Interoperable Ticketing (ABiT) &
Central Bank Digital Currency

TF1 initially worked on a paper entitled ABiT basic architectural concept and circulated a letter to the regional schemes for feedback. The general view remains as follows.    

  • Schemes remain responsible for the, Customer and Service Operator relationships, Products and Token types accepted and usage  / settlement rules.

  • As a result TF1 has suggested that a Customer Registration service and a Security and Auditability Service, common to all schemes and Transit modes, would enhance the Customers, Schemes, Retailers and Operators, propositions.

  • Common Services foster interoperability, security, auditability and privacy such that analysis of usage data can be used to add or optimise routes and thereby identify increased revenue or cost reduction opportunities.   

  • All existing ticketing products and entitlements may sit alongside innovative new Products and Tokens derived from Customer demographics.

  • Currently the Bank of England is considering the possible introduction of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). TF1 is now investigating its potential as a more Customer inclusive, on or off-line cash purse, for use in Public Transport.

TF2

Standardisation of Barcode/QR Code Ticketing in a Multi-modal Environment

To consider the standardisation of Barcode ticketing in a multi-modal environment. 

The outcome of the Task Force is expected to be:

  • A standard Specification for a Barcode ticket,

  • A plan for the adoption of the Specification,

  • A proposal for how the governance and potential accreditation of the Specification could be implemented.

STAG have collaborated with Smart Applications Management (SAM) to develop this initiative into a project. SAM have won a Transport Catapult Transport Research Innovation Grant to take this forward, enabling:

  • Development of the concept resulting in a formal specification,

  • An independent security review, and

  • The instigation of a Proof of Concept trial, due to complete by the end of March 2025.

TF2 continues its work as a consultation and review body.

Image by Markus Winkler
Public Transportation

TF3

Multi-operator cEMV in Transit

Contactless payment in Transit is an attractive proposition for customers, however it is subtly more complex to implement when multiple independent operators are involved. The guidance has been updated to reflect recent experience and challenges.

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TF3 members have prepared this guidance document to help authorities and transport operators navigate the challenges of implementing a multi-operator contactless transport scheme (i.e. where contactless payment card and mobile payment apps can be used to pay for multiple journeys with different operators each day and only pay one charge). This high-level guidance provides an introduction, essential background information and pointers on getting started while avoiding pitfalls. It does not go into detail about specific solutions which may differ between suppliers. The existence of more detailed guidance and standards is explained which apply to all solutions. Consideration for debt management, use of Payment Account Reference, coping with adjacent schemes, including rail journeys and handling out of area travel is highlighted. The ability to perform revenue protection and managing the financial risk is covered. The guidance concludes with advice on implementing a scheme and preparing to go live including initial monitoring and support.

 

This guidance has been reviewed and updated in  2024 by TF3 members to provide greater detail and clarity around interoperability, larger schemes and governance. We anticipate that further guidance will be required when a service is realised by the WMCA/CORAL procurement and governance of multi-modal multi-operator schemes becomes more complex.

 

While STAG cannot accept any responsibility for decisions made based on this guidance, it should help the audience make better informed and timely plans and arrangements for multi-operator schemes. STAG welcomes feedback and questions about the guidance.  To obtain a copy of the latest guidance please contact us​

TF4

ITSO liaison

ITSO is the UK-wide organisation that is supported by the Department for Transport to manage and develop the ITSO Specification for smart ticketing.  With over 16 million cards in circulation, and deployed on rail, bus, tram and ferry, ITSO schemes are a fundamental part of the UK smart ticketing environment.

A new version of the Specification – 2.1.5 – will be implemented shortly, with the inclusion of new media for phone wallets that enriches the ITSO on Mobile offering.

The implementation of ITSO schemes requires the deployment of ITSO Secure Application Modules, or ISAMs.  A new version of the ISAM, V4, will also be deployed shortly.

ITSO provides an extensive range of testing and certification services to ensure the compliance of smart ticketing equipment to the ITSO Specification. These will be updated in order to ensure compliance to 2.1.5.

The implementation of 2.1.5 will inevitably produce a variety of topics such as

  • speed of implementation

  • V4 implementation

  • optional elements

  • derogations where necessary

  • revised testing and certification procedures

  • etc.

At this busy time, TF4 maintains close discussions with ITSO in order to define issues and ITSO’s response to them.  Reports produced enable STAG members to plan for a smooth implementation of 2.1.5 and ISAM V4 as well as providing an opportunity to give valuable feedback from the ITSO community.

©2025 by Smart Transport Advisory Group.

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