Merseytravel takes over smart card company

Apr 29 2008 by Alex Turner, Liverpool Daily Post

MERSEYTRAVEL has taken over Liverpool-based smart card provider, Livesmart, as it develops its technology and ticketing offering.

The transport authority has increased its stake in the company from 24.9% to 87%.

David Wade-Smith, who founded the company in 2004, will continue as chairman of Global Smart Media, which trades as Livesmart.

Livesmart is responsible for the 08 Card, held by nearly 85,000 people.

Neil Scales, chief executive and director general for Merseytravel, said: “This is a sound investment for us. It is a company of real potential.

“We are literally just touching the surface in terms of the potential for smart card technology.”

Merseytravel has seen the success of similar cards across the UK, and believe it can improve efficiency and make travel easier for passengers.

The company hopes the investment will allow it to deliver the existing range of loyalty, membership and ticketing products throughout the city region, using smart card technology and the internet, and position it for national expansion.

“Smart cards have taken off in Scotland, with 1.5m in the field, and there are more than 5m Oyster cards in London,” said Mr Scales.

SEE the latest edition of our business magazine, LDP Business, for a full interview with David Wade-Smith.