Integrated ticketing: there has never been a better time

29 April 2026

Developments including rail nationalisation, bus reform and devolution have set the stage for fully integrated ticketing to be introduced, and the new integrated transport strategy Better Connected recognises its importance. Campaign for Better Transport is calling on the Government to seize this chance to give everybody easy, fairly-priced, tap-in-tap-out journeys.

Ben Plowden of Campaign for Better Transport said:

“Travellers in cities like London and Manchester can simply ‘tap in’, on a range of different public transport, and have confidence that they will be charged the best fare. People everywhere deserve this sort of simple, trustworthy, integrated ticketing, as highlighted in Better Connected. The good news is, this is now attainable, with many of the structural barriers having been removed by recent reforms. By supporting the implementation of a fully integrated, nationally coherent fares and ticketing system, central and local government leaders can improve journeys, increase passenger numbers, and create significant social and economic benefits.”

The report, Tap to the future: Delivering an integrated, multi-modal ticketing system, identifies six lessons for central government and local transport authorities looking to implement integrated ticketing:

• Any consideration of ticketing systems needs to start with customer needs in mind rather than with what the technology can do
• Trust is critical, both for passengers to feel confident they are paying the right fare, and for the transport sector to ensure fares and ticketing reform is fair and robust
• Local trips within city regions and longer-distance inter-city travel may require different systems, but the experience of using them should be seamless
• National policy should be enabling and supportive – specifying shared standards to ensure consistency – rather than highly prescriptive
• Authorities should “buy not build” by procuring existing, proven technology rather than building their own systems from scratch
• Central government should support more local authorities to expand integrated ticketing to the ‘in-between’ areas outside of the combined authorities.

The report is supported by Cubic Transportation Systems. Kevin Maslin, SVP and Managing Director EMEA of Cubic Transportation Systems, said:

“As the world’s leading provider of advanced technology in public transport ticketing systems, Cubic Transportation Systems has been delighted to support Campaign for Better Transport to explore how we can create an integrated ticketing system which makes transport easier and fairer for passengers across the country. We look forward to continuing to share our expertise in delivering integrated transport systems around the world with the Government, mayoral authorities and industry leaders.”

ENDS

For further information please contact the Campaign for Better Transport press office on 07984 773 468 (calls only no texts) or communications@bettertransport.org.uk.

Notes to Editors

1. Read the full report, Tap to the future: Delivering an integrated, multi-modal ticketing system. The report reflects the insights from a roundtable event, convened by Campaign for Better Transport and supported by Cubic Transportation Systems, which considered the challenges, opportunities, and practical steps needed to unlock national integrated ticketing across the UK. The roundtable was attended by senior stakeholders across national and regional authorities, operators, suppliers, and industry bodies.
2. One of the eight priorities in Better Connected, the new integrated national transport strategy for England, is to “Simplify payments and information – journeys across different kinds of transport will be easy to plan, pay for and navigate – with integrated ticketing wherever possible”.
3. Campaign for Better Transport operates in England and Wales. Campaign for Better Transport’s vision is for all communities to have access to high-quality, sustainable transport that meets their needs, improves quality of life, reduces inequality, and supports a vibrant, productive and decarbonised economy. Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929).
4. Cubic Transportation Systems is an industry-leading integrator of payment and information solutions and related services for intelligent travel applications. Cubic delivers integrated systems for transportation and traffic management, delivering tools for travellers to choose the smartest and easiest way to travel and pay for their journeys, and enabling transportation authorities and agencies to manage demand across the entire transportation network.