National Smart Ticketing Advisory Board - Meeting Minutes - 7 October 2025

Attendees

• Dr Andrew Seedhouse: Chair AS

Board Members

• *Claire Dickie: Rail Operator Representative CD
• *Hussein Patwa: Accessibility Representative HP
• *James Gleave: Transport Strategy Advisor JG
• *Kirsten Urquhart: Passenger Representative KU
• *Margaret Roy: Local Transport Authority Representative (ATCO) MR
• *Marilena Papadopoulou: Tram Operator Representative MP
• *Michael Nimmo: Subway Operator Representative MN
• *Mostafa Gulam: Technical Systems Advisor MG
• *Ranald Robertson: Regional Transport Partnership Representative (RTP) RR
• *Stevie Chambers: Bus Operator Representative SC
• Diane Burke: Ferry Operator Representative DB
• Graeme MacFarlane: Bus Operator Representative GM
• Matt Smallwood: Smart Delivery Advisor MS

Other attendees

• Bettina Sizeland: Director of Bus, Accessibility and Active Travel (Transport BSScotland) (SRO)
• Juliet Bell: Smart Programme Manager (Transport Scotland) JB
• Kat Quane: Smart Policy Delivery Lead (Trasport Scotland) (Sponsor) KQ
• Mary Anne Keegan: Smart Policy Manager (Transport Scotland) MAK

* Joined virtually

Apologies

• Mary Docherty: Transport Scotland Representative MD
• Kevin Ho: Programme Support Officer (Transport Scotland) (Secretariat) KH

Minutes

• The Board confirmed they were content to formally sign off the minutes from the meeting held on 26^th August 2025.

Agenda Item 1: Actions

250311-04 - Bus-rail links for OneTicket - Open

Ongoing - CD advised that they are currently undergoing a live procurement process to replace their retail system, which may impact the pace of progress in that area.

Focus remains on completing the live procurement process, which is progressing as planned. Once finalised, further development work will resume, with the project still on track for launch around April–May next year.

252608-01 - AS to arrange separate meetings with Bus Reps on STAR due to holiday period over the review date - closed

AS confirms both bus reps are content without 121 meeting.

Agenda Item 2: Chair Update

Chair Update

AS provided a brief update on developments since the previous meeting.

The STAR Report has been submitted to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, but feedback is yet to be received. AS highlighted this is a directional paper rather than detailed actions.

The Public Sector Reform Summit is taking place on 14^th October. AS cannot attend, and BS agreed to send someone from the TIC Directorate.

AS noted that the Climate Change Duties letter had been received.

The TCF in Wales was noted and AS thanked KQ for presenting the STAR update on behalf of NSTAB.

Quick Wins Update

Enhance integrated bus tickets retail offering (Grasshopper, ABC, One-Ticket) - Ongoing

• GM updated that Grasshopper went live earlier in the year, and they are still awaiting Stagecoach numbers, when received a further update will be provided. Tripper has continued to grow and there are ongoing discussions of expansion to Lanarkshire.
• SC noted that One-Ticket is different because it was always on mobile, but is exploring increasing awareness by putting a link to the app in the operator’s app. This is being considered as part of quick wins.
• ABC went live on 24^th August with John Berry running this. MR contacted Sarah Elliott in Stagecoach who will monitor and provide data on uptake as it beds in. There was consideration regarding extension to Perth and Kinross, there is hardly any movement between North Fife and Dundee but there will be a look at the outskirts of Dundee – GM will also pick up with Sarah regarding this.

U22s Transitionary Product – Ongoing

• GM updated that work has been commissioned to understand where there is a problem with transition. Delivery of something digital will come in Q4.
• KU asked how opportunities can be marketed to that demographic, and what can be promoted to young people.
• MN is keen to see this quick win defined more specifically.
• BS advised that there would be changes to Terms & Conditions of the U22s product to account for anti-social behaviour. This will be accompanied with an option to opt in or out of future marketing. JB raised the question of whether this marketing goes to the U22s or their parents.

New Inverness Multi Operator Smart Ticketing Project – Ongoing

• It was noted that the necessary individuals to progress currently have very full diaries and pulling together a meeting is proving difficult.

Rail & Bus integrated & digital ticketing - Ongoing

• Tickets for PlusBus have transitioned to QR codes and there is ongoing discussion with councils in the Borders to connect with Borders railway, with a consultation underway for potential trials.

Pilot Area testing of a single Multimodal QR Code Standard - Complete

• As of the end of August, the Phase 1 Report has been completed and circulated to everyone and is also available on the Knowledge Hub.
• There has been activity since the last Board, with a meeting of the steering group, which identified rail sector gates not applying standards correctly as the main obstacle.
• There have been 2 meetings since the last Board with Cubic which were positive, working towards roll out in January, and the project was presented at the Transport Card Forum by SAM.
• Subject to approval, there is the aim of promoting the Stage 2 Pilot when rail gates are operational, and co-ordinated correspondence from Scottish and Welsh Ministers would be crucial to maintaining momentum.

Agenda Item 3: Transport Scotland Sponsor & Policy Update

KQ provided an update on:

Ticketing Measures

As per the previous update, all work is continuing to progress, mainly on guidance. Measures will come into force 1^st April, from which point Ministers can set guidance on ticketing and any recommendations from the STAR have the option of becoming statutory, Ministerial or operational guidance.

Bus Open Data

Progress continues as planned. The system, which aligns with the STAR report aims to provide a single source of truth for bus data, (TS have future ambitions for all modes) is on track for delivery.

Sponsorship

MAK urged members to complete and send any outstanding registers of interest.

Agenda Item 4: Presentation from Bettina Sizeland on Transport Scotland’s Organisational Development Work and Transport Summit

• BS presented to the board on the Organisational Design work that has been taking place across TS for the past two years, and that there will be a new ‘Transport, Integration and Connectivity’ (TIC) Directorate which has been agreed with the Cabinet Secretary for Transport.
• BS confirmed that she would be Director for the new TIC Directorate and that the existing Bus, Accessibility and Active Travel (BAAT) Directorate would become the ‘Bus, Concessions and Active Travel’ (BCAT) Directorate and would be led by MD.
• BS explained that there is a greater focus on growing public transport patronage and that she wants to work closely with the NSTAB, particularly in a communications and engagement aspect, to promote this amongst the integrated transport field.
• BS assured that NSTAB’s work will sit in a new area at the heart of TS, which will be a priority for the CEO and allow stronger focus on integrating public transport systems, public service reform and funding redesign.
• HP congratulated MD on her new role as BCAT Director, and voiced support for the focus on greater integration. HP asked if accessibility would be cross-cutting. BS responded there will be an internal governance board for accessible travel.
• BS provided a short update on the Transport Summit which took place in September. KQ advised that the delegate pack is accessible in Knowledge Hub and that slides will be uploaded there too.

Agenda Item 5: Sectoral Update

It was agreed by the Board that written updates be circulated following the meeting, due to time constraints preventing discussion.

Accessibility Representative Update - Hussian Patwa

N/A

Bus Representatives Update – Graeme McFarlane & Stevie Chambers

Current schemes

Tripper

• Continues to grow £1m across P1-6 via App – 4 weekly most popular
• Expansion to Lanarkshire remains an objective, John Elliot (snr) capacity has hindered but will continue to work on this to develop

Grasshopper

• Again, another success story – our numbers show strong growth via App. 365 total in June up to 1600 in
• Above numbers First Aberdeen stats alone and awaiting update from Stagecoach on their sales to give full picture on product performance
• Zone A most popular (75% of sales)
• £10k marketing budget now identified and being led by Stagecoach to increase product awareness

ABC

• Went live on mobile 24 August. Reached out to Sarah Elliot at Stagecoach East seeking confirmation on what can be supplied on a regular basis with a view to compilation of full summary of all mobile quick wins

One-Ticket

• Links to One-Ticket from Lothian app implemented

Inverness scheme

• Shiels lead proving elusive despite numerous reach outs. Will work with Ranald to garner some local support.

Retail systems

• First Glasgow and First Aberdeen ETM upgrade completed in full and implementation review underway.
• Stagecoach still looking at system upgrade with VIX their current supplier – no firm timelines for this as yet. Still in the procurement and test phase - any implementation likely to be minimum 18-24 months out.

Development

• Fairtiq proposals sought on how this “frictionless” mobile system support further Tripper development. Part of Glasgow Bus Alliance conversation on improved integrated ticketing
• Working group on ticketing set up under Glasgow Bus Alliance – opportunity with SPT subway on integrated TITO. GM meeting Michael Nimmo on 17 Oct
• U22 bridging product and research – commissioned Human8 to understand propensity to continue travelling when age entitlement lapses. Should support BEEP work on historical behaviours with a more forward looking theme in retention or loss.

Other

• Asylum Seeker scheme – traction on webinar from Operators, Whitelaws seemed unaware so have highlighted. Not sure how much engagement from Operators on these webinars to ready them for scheme introduction on 10 November
• £2 capped scheme Jan 2026 launch – operators seeking engagement and planning Mechanics and governance a key question. When will TS be in a position to progress is the question.

Passenger Representative Update – Kirsten Urquhart

N/A

Transport Scotland Update – Mary Docherty

N/A

Regional Transport Partnership Update - Ranald Robertson

Regional Bus and Active Travel — Highlights

• SPT (Strathclyde): Regional Bus Strategy remains in consultation, having received over 5,000 responses. The franchise pathway is being progressed alongside BSIP and bus priority measures, with integrated fares and ticketing a core objective.
• Voi Bike Share: The City of Glasgow Council has awarded the bike hire concession to Voi, replacing Nextbike. The new system is now operational, supporting enhanced first/last-mile connectivity across the city. There will be a minimum of 1,000 bikes from 150 locations across the city.
• SEStran (South East): Regional Bus Strategy in development, with over 6,000 consultation responses received during summer 2025. Integration, simpler fares, and improved network accessibility remain central to the strategy’s objectives.
• SEStran region Active Travel and Shared Mobility: The City of Edinburgh Council has awarded a new dockless e-bike concession to Voi, with operations now live across the city. Initial launch with 50 bikes but a target of increasing to 800 by the end of 2025.
• HITRANS: Regional Transport Strategy approved by Ministers earlier in 2025, with the first draft RTS Delivery Plan was presented to the HITRANS Board in September. The Regional Bus Strategy is programmed for 2026. Parliamentary Launch: The planned HITRANS RTS parliamentary event was cancelled due to the Stage 3 debate on the Housing Bill; rescheduling to be considered.
• HI-Bike Expansion: Public e-bike scheme expanding to Elgin in autumn 2025, pending resolution of power supply issues and the arrival of new e-bikes from a Portuguese supplier.
• Brompton Bike Hire – HITRANS are finalising a location with ScotRail to site a HI-Bike dock at Aviemore Station.
• Nestrans (North East): Bus Alliance Action Plan refreshed (2025). Continued delivery of the GrassHOPPER multi-operator ticketing scheme (smartcard and app fulfilment). 
• Nestrans and Aberdeen City and Shire Councils have recently launched a public consultation on the next phase of Aberdeen Rapid Transit (ART), building on the earlier Outline Business Case.
• Tactran (Tayside & Central): RTS 2024–34 adopted; Bus Plan development ongoing. Demand responsive transport (DRT) expansion continues in Angus, supported by new and extended booking and dispatch technologies.
• Also in Tactran’s area with support through the People and Place Programme Glenfarg Community Transport: Now live on the Pingo app, enabling on-demand booking for its pilot community transport service.
• ZetTrans (Shetland): RTS 2022–42 implementation advancing, with a focus on island connectivity and the development of integrated ticketing products.
• SWestrans (South West): RTS 2023–42 embeds rural connectivity, targeted network improvements, and demand-responsive models. The partnership has recently been managing significant service continuity issues following the tendering of local bus services in Dumfries and Galloway, which have seen Stagecoach withdraw from most operations in the area.

HITRANS — Regional Rail Strategy ("Route & Branch")

• The new HITRANS Rail Strategy, titled Route & Branch, is in preparation as a daughter document to the RTS.
• The work is currently out to tender, with an indicative £40–50k budget to support consultant appointment and development of the delivery plan.
• An Inverness Transport Hub Masterplan has recently been completed, setting out a blueprint and case for change for city centre transport interchange facilities, including the railway station, bus station, and surrounding active travel connections.

Integrated Ticketing & DRT — Regional Delivery

HITRANS

• BetterPoints Campaign: The partnership’s programme with BetterPoints to encourage sustainable mode shift and repeat use has now concluded.
• Moove Flexi (DRT App): Platform for on-demand services across the five HITRANS authorities continues to expand.
• WestGo (Kintyre & Cowal):Operated by West Coast Motors under the Moove Flexi brand — now fully live and operating successfully.
• Orkney:Onboarding of services continues through Island Community Development Trusts as new fleet vehicles arrive.
• Moray Council – m.connect: On-demand service operating on the Liftango platform (app and telephony), offering pre-booking up to 2 weeks ahead and near-travel bookings within approximately 1 hour.
• Highland Integrated Ticketing Project: Included under NSTAB Quick Wins. Progress continues, with date-setting underway for a meeting with Tripper.

Tactran

• ENABLE MaaS: Ongoing Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) programme with continued platform enhancements. Development of new DRT booking functionality is in progress.
• As noted under bus Glenfarg Community Transport: On-demand booking pilot now operational via the Pingo app.

Nestrans

• GrassHOPPER Multi-Operator Bus Ticket: Continued integrated ticketing across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. Smart media and operator app fulfilment maintained and migrated to the Tripper platform (see NSTAB Quick Wins).

National and Cross-Regional Developments

• Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service (CHFS): The direct award of the CHFS contract to CalMac Ferries Limited, effective 1 October 2025, marks a hugely significant milestone in Scottish transport. Early positive developments are already emerging around improved connectivity and integration across island and mainland networks following the contract commencement.

Subway Operator Update – Michael Nimmo

• Implementation of contactless PAYG ongoing (completion due by end of 2025).
• HOPS (and other system) migration from Nevis to Unicard still ongoing, completion date TBC.
• Closely watching progress with multi-modal barcode via NSTAB, and possible barcode opportunities emerging from the STAR proposals.
• Lots of recent engagement crossing over with the work of NSTAB, including:
  • MN asked to chair Glasgow City Region Bus Partnership ticketing working group (Graeme Macfarlan also on that group)
  • Discussion with Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park about a working group for integrated ticketing opportunities.

Local Transport Authority Update - Margaret Roy

N/A

Technical Update – Mostafa Gulam

N/A

Tram Update – Marielena Papadopoulou

N/A

Ferries Update (CalMac update) – Diane Burke

N/A

Agenda Item 6: STAR Report

• AS confirmed commitment to summarising key messages and starting to prepare now to minimise time lag on areas with more influence.
• JG asked what actions are in-house already. MG discussed standards requirements. AS responded that they seek to achieve this in a way that does not create delays.
• KQ explained the variations between statutory, guiding and ministerial requirements (e.g. new law required vs government guidance).
• GM enquired on funding for smaller operators. KQ responded that this will be addressed as part of the impact assessments with JB caveating that any funding would not be ongoing.
• DB asked JB to share requirements on data provision.

• Due to time constraints, AS concluded this item and will send out the rest of the slides to the Board.

Agenda Item 7: Next steps & AOB

• It was proposed to move the next meeting to Wednesday 17^th December to accommodate the Cabinet Secretary for Transport’s attendance. MN agreed to host at the SPT Offices at 131 St Vincent Street.
• It was noted that a previous observer of the Board has stopped receiving meeting invites and that they should be reincluded on the distribution list.

Action list

1. An edit is to be made on Page 6 of the previous Board minutes, clarifying that Ember is a member of the CPT – MAK
2. Garner some integrated marketing to help promote the bus-to-bus tickets – GM
3. Consider future marketing in upcoming Terms & Conditions change – MD
4. Share ‘The Value of Transport’ Report with Board – MAK
5. Check what can be shared regarding API Provision – JB
6. Share slides with Board members - AS