There’s a mobile app for just about everything nowadays, and it seems train tickets are the latest to be added to the list! First Capital Connect has announced the launch of their mobile ticketing app, enabling passengers to buy train tickets and use them immediately. Tickets bought will appear as an encrypted barcode on their mobile devices, which can then be scanned by either staff or scanners at entry gates, where they are available. Alternatively, passengers can use the unique ticket reference number that has been sent to the smartphone or mobile device in order to collect their ticket from a ticket machine.
Masabi, the Cambridge-based transport mobile ticketing business, developed the app using cloud-based technology that is also used by 17 global transit agencies including CrossCountry Trains, Virgin Trains, and the MBTA, the transit authority in Boston. Whilst the capability of gate scanning is only available at Cambridge, London King’s Cross and King’s Lynn stations, it is hoped that the technology will be rolled out later in the year to Ely, Hitchin, Stevenage, Royston and Letchworth Garden City next, and finally for train journeys between London and Gatwick.
Keith Jipps, Customer Service Director at First Capital connect hopes that the mTicket will make the process of purchasing train tickets simpler and easier. He said: “We have been quietly trialling this app over the past few months and it has proved so successful, we are looking to expand mobile ticketing to other stations on our network.”
Although, as yet, season tickets aren’t available via the app, principally due to the government’s option to make these forms of tickets available as smart cards, but single and return day tickets, off-peak day return and Super Off-peak single and return tickets are available. But having your virtual ticket on your mobile device isn’t the only benefit to mobile ticketing; the app is able to provide real-time information on timetables and train journeys, frequent journeys can be safely and securely stored, as can login details and payment information, saving time for passengers as they won’t have to re-enter these details every time.
CEO of Masabi, Ben Whitaker, added: “This service will mean that passengers, for the first time, will be able to buy their tickets as they stroll to the station rather than having to queue for a ticket. We look forward to extending this passenger liberating service to other First Capital Connect routes in the future.”
Maybe going mobile and the advance of technology isn’t such a bad thing after all, especially if it reduces the great British queue!