Unicard Press Release

New Contactless Smart Card Scheme Simplifies Concessionary Travel Scheme for Cornwall

Ferndown,UK, February 8, 2006 - "Smart scheme" specialist Unicard has been chosen to manage the Countywide Concessionary Fares scheme for the six District councils of Cornwall and the County Council.

Under the new scheme - the successor to the Pathfinder Project pilot in Cornwall - Cornish citizens newly entitled to concessionary fares will now have a low-cost, easy to use contactless smart card for use on public transport. The card can also be used in the County's libraries.

"Our requirements are very clear - the councils in Cornwall want to deliver services that are simple and reliable for our citizens to use, and economical for us to implement and manage", said Les Watson, Passenger Transport Manager, for Cornwall County Council. "As a fully managed service, using well-proven, no-frills smart card technology, the Unicard solution meets both those key criteria and enables us to build upon the initial scheme implemented as part of the Pathfinder Project."

"Successful smart card schemes are those which use the technology appropriate to the task in hand", adds Peter Verrept, Unicard Managing Director. "The scheme has chosen a tough and reliable contactless card that will do a basic job extremely well, and whose use can be easily extended when the time is right and citizens are comfortable with the technology.

Under the new scheme, over 60s and people with certain disabilities who are entitled to concessionary fares simply apply at one of 31 libraries in the county for a 'Buses in Cornwall' concessionary pass, with optional library usage. Library staff then access the Unicard management system on-line, to request a new card, and Unicard arranges for the card to be posted directly to the individual concerned. Cornwall CC will also use the online system to manage all address detail changes as well as card replacements.

The new card is based on the Mifare standard, and covers all the functionality required for the library and leisure-related Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's targets as well as, for example, schools usage and concessionary travel for the over 60s. Being contactless, the card is extremely simple to use, and is very reliable: the card need only be held near the card reader on the bus, for the driver to have clear confirmation that the holder is entitled to concessionary travel.