ITSO Ltd announces release of ITSO Specification version 2.1.5

ITSO Ltd, the organisation responsible for managing the UK’s only Specification for integrated smart ticketing on public transport, is pleased to announce the release approval of a new ITSO Specification by the Department for Transport (DfT).

The approval of version 2.1.5 marks a significant milestone, as it has been 15 years since the release of the current Specification, version 2.1.4. ITSO, alongside its members from transport bodies and ticketing specialists, has worked diligently to bring this update to its final stage. 

In June 2024, ITSO’s governance and control technical committee issued a draft version of 2.1.5 for member review. Following valuable feedback and collaboration, the Specification has now been refined and approved for release.

The new version introduces new features and functionalities, including media tailored for in-wallet digital ticketing. This reflects ITSO’s response to industry trends and government initiatives aimed at digitising transport ticketing and offering passengers the choice between digital or physical options. 

Steve Holden, CEO of ITSO says “As the only UK-wide ticketing infrastructure enabling fully interoperable "seamless" ticketing solutions across all public transport operators, ITSO's Specification sets the guidelines and protocols for smart ticketing systems to ensure compatibility across different operators and transport modes. 

I want to thank the ITSO team, Technical Committee, our valued members, and the Department for Transport for their dedication, collaboration, and collective expertise, which has been even more so instrumental in bringing this release to its final stage.

Our ultimate goal is to support members in delivering better services to passengers and encouraging more people to use public transport. We will now set to work with our members and the wider industry to deploy these advancements across schemes throughout the United Kingdom.

With significant technological advancements since the last release, we’re now positioned to introduce new features that ensure the Specification remains relevant and compatible with future technologies.”

Version 2.1.5 will be published to ITSO members at the end of March 2025, with a public release available on the ITSO website to follow shortly after.