Discover how smart technology can make it even easier to get on board.
Here are just some of the reasons to switch to a smartcard:
Smartcards
Smart tickets are uploaded onto a chipped travel card called a smartcard. Tickets can be pre-purchased or bought when travelling.
All Scottish ITSO smartcards now have the flexible benefit of holding any of your smart tickets for different modes and operators – bus, train, or subway.
If you have a Scottish travel smartcard, just look for the blue ITSO logo. ITSO is the clever technology that helps us deliver secure smart ticketing on smartcards.
If you have a national entitlement card, such as free bus pass or Young Scot, these can also now be used to load smart tickets onto.
Check which operators provide smartcards.
Spot the ITSO logo
Load with tickets
Off you go
Mobile app
Mobile ticketing is a ticket held on your smartphone, usually in a mobile app. Tickets are pre-bought, though this can be just before you jump on board, through the operator’s own app, such as Stagecoach or First. The app is for tickets for that operator only. If you are making multi-operator journeys you may need to download more than one app.
Check which operator
Smart payments
Smart payments means you can pay for your tickets via smart technology options online, over the counter, on board or at a ticket machine. As well as traditional chip and pin for pre-purchase many operators now also accept contactless payment.
Additional smart travel services
In addition to smartcards, mobile apps and smart payments, there are a number of smart enabled travel options to help you get around Scotland.
PlusBus
PlusBus is a bus pass that goes with your train ticket. It gives you unlimited travel in the area around your chosen PlusBus station.
You can buy a PlusBus ticket with your rail ticket.
Park & Ride
You can even go smart for your Park & Ride across many locations in Scotland.
Smart cycle schemes
There are a number of cycle schemes using mobile apps and more are on their way.