Unicard News
How Unicard delivered a digital ZoneCard for SPT
Case study examines our successful solution for train, subway and bus passengers
July 21st 2025 by Unicard

Unicard’s latest case study examines how we helped Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) deliver a smart-ticketing version of their ZoneCard, offering passengers greater choice and flexibility.

SPT’s ZoneCard flexible ticket can be used for unlimited travel by passengers on ScotRail trains, on Glasgow’s Subway, and on most buses in Scotland’s Strathclyde region. SPT and the participating operators wanted the paper-based ZoneCard to be replaced with a smart-ticketing alternative to improve the customer offering, enhance performance and promote flexibility.

SPT and the operators specified that the migration of the ZoneCard product from a paper format to digital should allow customers to:

  • Apply for a new smartcard via a web portal/app
  • Order a ZoneCard smartcard and then purchase a product via a web portal/app and collect it via a POST, and add the product to their card from their smartphone using an ITSO Part 11 service
  • Purchase an online product and gift it to a different card (e.g. for their children)

The new solution had to integrate with SPT’s existing rail and Subway ITSO architecture, bus operators’ ITSO architecture, and multiple POSTs.

Unicard met SPT’s requirements by delivering a solution that included the following:

  • A new CMS (Unicard’s Smart Office): a cardholder and scheme management system that is configurable, flexible and futureproofed
  • A new Unicard HOPS/AMS: industry-leading, MaaS-ready and able to store billions of transactions
  • A new commercial portal and app (Android/iOS) providing 24/7 account management and ticketing

Unicard’s full solution meets the Scottish Government Digital First Standard, which focuses on putting people at the heart of delivery and adopting tools and processes to promote flexibility, sustainability and continuous improvement.

Kenny McAlpine of ScotRail, who chairs the ZoneCard forum of operators, said: “The new smart ZoneCard solution provides flexible and convenient ticketing options as well as enhanced data about the use of ZoneCard tickets on rail, bus and Subway and a modern set of customer management tools.

“The introduction of flexi tickets and one-day tickets improves the range of choices available to our customers and the ZoneCard app enables instant ticket download when needed.”