Trial for on-board sensors to take train travel payment

Passengers could be automatically charged for their journey as they board their train, should a trial by Hitachi in Italy prove successful.

The company then plans a UK trial of technology which would use sensors on trains to detect an app on passengers’ smartphones as they board their train, although no date has been set for that.

“This technology has the ability to transform public transport in every corner of the country, from rural buses to city centre stations,” said Hitachi Rail Managing Director Karen Boswell.

“The common travelling woes of queues at ticket machines or trying to find the cheapest fare could be solved without even needing to reach for your pocket.”

The company is investigating the possibility of one app working across large parts of a country, across several transport modes.

• For the FULL story, read RAIL 886, published on August 28, and available digitally on Android, iPad and Kindle from August 24.