Reading Buses go live with latest ISAM technology

The Challenge
When Reading Buses completed a formal procurement process for new Electronic Ticket Machines (ETMs) which was awarded to Transmach Systems Ltd, they faced a strategic choice. They could simply replace the hardware, or they could use the opportunity to overhaul their security architecture.

Rather than a simple hardware swap, Reading Buses treated the Transmach rollout as a strategic upgrade. By synchronising the ETM installation with the transition from ageing V2 ISAMs to newer standards, they effectively bypassed the 2028 End of Life V2 ISAM deadline and eliminated the need for a redundant, expensive retrofit project in the future.

The Solution
Working alongside ITSO, Transmach, and Unicard, Reading Buses implemented a phased, evidence-based transition to the V4 ISAM. This new standard provides superior cryptographic security and a robust foundation for the next generation of smart ticketing.

To ensure total system interoperability, the team followed a three-step validation process:

• The Pilot: A single V4 ISAM was commissioned and tested within a Transmach ETM to validate seamless communication with the broader ITSO ecosystem.

• The Initial Batch: Following a successful pilot, 60 devices were introduced into live service to monitor real-world performance.

• Fleet-Wide Integration: Once reliability was proven at 100%, the remaining fleet was upgraded, bringing the total to over 300 active units.

The Results
By taking a proactive approach, Reading Buses has successfully future-proofed its fleet. The transition was completed on a compressed timeline with zero performance issues reported to date.

• Enhanced Security: The fleet now operates on the latest V4 standard, providing the highest level of data integrity.

• Cost Efficiency: By syncing the ISAM upgrade with the ETM rollout, the operator saved significant future labor and hardware costs.

• Frictionless Experience: Passengers continue to enjoy a seamless tap-on experience, backed by a more secure and resilient backend.
  
  

"Moving to V4 ISAMs alongside our Transmach ETM rollout was the ideal time to do it once and do it properly.

Decommissioning V2 ISAMs across the fleet in a single procurement cycle has saved us a future retrofit and given us a platform that's ready for whatever comes next in smart ticketing. The phased approach worked well, with the pilot, the initial 60 units and then the full 318 all performing as expected. Credit to the teams at ITSO, Transmach and Unicard for keeping the deployment on track." Simon Gold, Reading Buses

Minesh Vandra, Transmach Systems Limited said “Even with a compressed rollout timeline and first-time deployment of V4 ISAMs, strong initial testing enabled a smooth go-live. Performance has been seamless, with zero issues reported to date.” 

Looking Ahead
With the V4 ISAM fully integrated, Reading Buses is now at the cutting edge of the ITSO ecosystem. They are ideally positioned to handle future smart products and services, ensuring they remain a leader in the UK’s national smart network.

"Reading Buses recognised a key opportunity to not only refresh their equipment but to fundamentally upgrade their security architecture. This ensures their network remains at the forefront of the industry." concluded Darren Marshall-Sewell, Technology Manager at ITSO.