Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) is now live with a new mobile ticketing solution featuring Access-IS’ 1D/2D barcode readers at stations across Wales. Responding to the ever growing trend towards mobile and print at home ticketing, ATW commissioned Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) to provide a solution that allow customers with mobile tickets to access the rail network.
CTS turned to specialist hardware manufacturer Access-IS to provide the barcode reading functionality. The solution utilised tried-and-tested barcode readers installed by CTS in gates for many previous projects. Access-IS devices are designed to read 1D/2D barcode images from smartphones, tablets or paper. The reader’s omnidirectional 2D barcode engine with optimised imaging ensures that tickets are always read at the first attempt. The unit also delivers high-speed performance; capturing and decoding barcodes almost instantly regardless of the orientation in which the ticket is presented.
Talking about mobile ticketing on the UK rail network, the former minister responsible for rail, Claire Perry, said, “With more passengers using the railways than ever before, new ticketing technologies have a vital role to play in building a 21st century railway and allow customers to benefit from improved flexibility and seamless travel.”
Reading all popular linear and 2D barcode symbologies, the use of Access-IS readers across the network is helping the transition away from magnetic ticket technologies that have been the mainstay of the UK rail network for over three decades.
The Access-IS device features a simple plug-in design, using a single mounting bracket which enables the device to be quickly and cost-effectively integrated into indoor and outdoor fare gates. Its small footprint and robust design make it a perfect choice for years of frontline public use.
Holt Lau, public transport specialist at Access-IS, commented, “With thousands of Access-IS barcode readers in use in high throughput, front-line applications around the world, our customers know that they can rely on our products to deliver first time, every time.”
