01/04/2008

Chiltern District Council has become one of the first local authorities in the UK to use a new hi-tech taxi smartcard system.

The system, called COPS (Concessionary Operators' Payment Scheme), has been developed by Stagecoach Group subsidiary Concessionary Solutions Ltd for over-60s who qualify for concessionary travel.

On-board electronic taxi terminals are used to read personalised travel cards issued to eligible users on behalf of the council. Smartcards are issued with an agreed concessionary value and have a photograph to ensure only those who qualify for the scheme are authorised to travel.

Electronic information from the terminals is downloaded for reimbursement to taxi operators and paid directly into the operators’ bank accounts.

Concessionary Solutions Ltd coordinates the administration, including the production and distribution of the cards. The system will save the council more than £20,000 in administration costs. Unspent money will be returned to the Council at the end of the financial year and detailed analysis will help in the setting of future budgets.

Chiltern District Council today (1 April 2008) joined Milton Keynes and Dumfries and Galloway Councils as one of the first local authorities to use the taxi smartcard system.

Councillor Nicholas Rose, Cabinet Member with responsibility for concessionary travel in Chiltern District, said: “The new smartcard system will be a major step forward for us. It will provide a simple, cost-effective, reliable and secure method of targeting assistance to our elderly and disabled residents.”

Jim Pink, Operations Manager of Concessionary Solutions Ltd, said: "The introduction of the taxi smartcard system is a real winner for the local authority and for customers who find accessing public transport a challenge. It can go some way to tackling inequalities experienced by some groups within the community, particularly the very elderly and vulnerable, helping break down barriers to community involvement.”

Around 110 taxi operators within the Chiltern District Council area have registered to accept payment using the COPS System.

Concessionary Solutions Ltd operates alongside National Transport Tokens Ltd in providing concessionary travel solutions for local authorities. Since 1973, National Transport Tokens have been supplying tokens that are redeemed for journeys on buses, taxis, community transport and dial-a-ride services.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Steve Stewart, Director of Corporate Communications
Stagecoach Group
Tel: 01738 442111 or mobile 07764 774680
email: steven.stewart@stagecoachgroup.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

• Stagecoach Group is a leading international public transport group, with extensive operations in the UK, United States and Canada. The company employs around 30,000 people, and operates bus, coach, rail, and tram services.
• Stagecoach is one of the biggest bus operators in the UK, running more than 7,000 vehicles in around 100 towns and cities from the Highlands of Scotland to south-west England.
• For detailed information about Stagecoach bus services, including timetables, fares and tickets, go to www.stagecoachbus.com