A new app by North East transport provider Nexus will allow commuters to convert their paper tickets into a smart card.
Leveraging technology by UK-based smart card tech company Ecebs, the service was launched in September 2013.
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The service enables customers to transition from paper season tickets to a smart, so-called ‘Pop card’.
By connecting to Ecebs’ remote ticket download system, the app enables the product and expiry information from the paper ticket to be converted into a smart card.
Commenting on the product, David Bartlett, programme manager for smart ticketing at Nexus, said: : "Nexus is leading the biggest roll-out of smart ticketing outside London, and the key to this is guiding customers through behavioural change.
"The latest phase has seen us move high-value and long-period season tickets to Pop smart cards, which is the natural home for them," he added.
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By GlobalDataHe parised Ecebs app as ‘very useful’, saying: "it is playing a key role as we convert passengers to smart travel.
"It is effective because it is so easy and quick for staff and customers to use, and is speeding up the conversion from paper to smart tickets," he concluded.
Speaking on behalf of Ecebs, managing director Russell McCullagh commented: "This is just the start of a transport revolution in the North East where customers are already benefiting from the convenience of smart ticketing.
"All too often the process of converting customers to smart ticketing is complex and expensive meaning that customers have to wait before realising the benefits.
"The ticket converter deployed by Nexus ensures that the conversion is seamless and delivers those benefits to more end customers as quickly and cost effectively as possible," he added.
Passengers will soon be abel to use their Pop cards on pay-as-you go or via a season ticket format, and will be able to load credit onto their card using several methods including a NFC-enabled mobile phone or a computer, as well as at local shops, Nexus travel centres and Metro stations.
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