The UK ferry industry’s first automated ticket gates have been installed on operator Wightlink’s foot passenger route between Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head.
The investment is aimed at making journeys easier and more convenient for foot passengers, especially those with a combined rail and FastCat e-ticket.
Since the new smart gates were switched on in May, more than 100,000 passengers have reportedly used them, 11,000 of these using barcode e-tickets.
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Wightlink director of IT and transformations, Stuart James, said: “We are always looking at how to improve our customers’ journey through our ports and these gates make it easier for people with a combined rail and FastCat e-ticket.
“With Vix, we designed a bespoke solution, so the rail and ferry ticketing systems would work together.
“To ensure our customers get the full benefit of this simpler experience, we trained all colleagues who are based at our ports in their operation and invested in customer communications.”
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The system, supplied by Vix Technology, recognises multiple ticket types, including rail tickets with barcodes or QR codes, Wightlink barcode tickets, passes, and tickets on smartphones.
They are also equipped to accept future ticket types as systems evolve.
Paul Windsor, sales manager at Vix Technology, added: “We’re really proud of our partnership with Wightlink.
“Together, we’ve introduced the UK’s first ferry digital gates, making it easier and more convenient for passengers to travel with multiple payment options.”
Achievements and innovations in ticketing and payment technology will be celebrated at the third annual CiTTi Awards, which will be held on 26 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Nominations are open now! Please visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector
