Enhancing rural public transport accessibility through implementing a smart scan-on m-ticketing solution: a United Kingdom case study approach within deregulated environments

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how two United Kingdom (UK) Local Authorities (Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire), the two Universities of Hertfordshire and Northampton and a public transport provider (UNO) have worked in partnership to develop a smart scan-on m-ticketing solution, which integrates into a wider ‘smart city’ solution delivering social good through connected value propositions. Based on the initial success of a Hertfordshire pilot, a specific objective of this work is to establish smart integrated multi-operator/modal solutions. This pilot is subsequently being collaboratively expanded upon, through the UK Department for Transport funded ‘Network Northamptonshire Total Transport’ initiative, a transformative project to improve connectivity, integration and accessibility for rural transport networks. This forms part of the recently signed ‘England’s Economic Heartland’ tri-county alliance agreement, which aims to work collaboratively across three local authority regions (Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire), consolidating £3bn of spending. This provides a further future platform for innovative transport solutions being rolled out across wider geographical areas.