Go Ahead Group rolls out automatic in-station smartcard kiosk from Paragon ID

Go-Ahead Group has selected Paragon ID to provide ITSO smart card issuing kiosks for railway stations across their Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) network.

As a result, passengers using the GTR network will benefit from being able to collect smart cards from one of the new kiosks installed at 12 stations including Brighton, Bedford, Stevenage, St. Albans and Luton.

The solution alleviates the need for customers to wait for a new smart card to arrive in the post after ordering it online. The self-service smart card machines dispense ITSO standard smartcards that are registered to the customer and linked to an online account within a couple of minutes.

This project forms part of the Go-Ahead group’s initiative to make it more convenient for passengers to buy and receive their train tickets in line with the Department for Transport plans for the roll out of smart ticketing across the network. The Go-Ahead group plans to encourage all season ticket holders to use smart cards, which can then be loaded with multiple tickets for travel on rail and bus.

Sarah McLaughlin, Account Director at Paragon ID, commented: “We are delighted to be extending our working relationship with the Go-Ahead Group, who already use our traditional ticketing and services within rail combined with local bus operator ITSO smartcards and printers across their network of depots.

“The new smart card kiosk was developed in-house by Paragon ID and offers rail operators the flexibility to provide a bespoke platform for their customers.”

Kanwar Brar, IT Operations Director from Go Ahead Group said: “Improving the customer experience and encouraging passengers to move across to smart tickets is a major project for us and we are pleased to be working with Paragon ID to help us manage this process.”

Paragon ID’s full range of smart card issuance solutions, which also includes local issuance printers operated by members of counter staff, are backed by full maintenance provided via remote access. In addition, on-site technical engineering support is available when required.