With the two million journeys milestone smashed, PAYG tap-on, tap-off payments are Transport for Wales’ fastest-growing ticketing product.
Vix Technology, a leader in fare collection and intelligent transportation systems, and Gunnebo Entrance Control have partnered with Transport for Wales Rail (TfWRL), the rail operations business that sits within Transport for Wales, to enable the launch of the first Pay as you Go (PAYG) contactless system on heavy rail outside of London.
[Photo credit: Transport for Wales]
The tech collaborators developed new digital ticket barriers, which have been deployed across the Welsh rail network to enable simple, PAYG contactless rail travel in Wales. The rollout is transforming ticketing for thousands, recently reaching a milestone of more than two million rail journeys made using PAYG tap-on, tap-off in the year following the system’s launch in November 2024.
TfWRL is committed to delivering an integrated, accessible, efficient public transport network in line with the Welsh Government’s strategy. To achieve this, it sought to introduce a PAYG contactless system, enabling passengers to tap-on and tap-off using a contactless EMV card or device and benefit from daily and weekly capped fares.
With its ticket barriers approaching end of life, TfWRL needed a replacement solution to accept multiple digital fare media – contactless EMV cards, mobile wallets, 1D and 2D barcodes and ITSO smart cards. In addition, it wanted to maintain support for magstripe tickets. It was vital that the new gates could be installed across a range of station layouts, with minimal disruption to infrastructure and passengers.
Alongside the improvements to ticketing and the convenience of PAYG, the project will also pave the way for enhanced access to real-time travel and service information through the deployment of Video Help Points (VHPs). While this functionality, and the configuration and development work for these assets is still to come, these features will be delivered as part of wider customer experience improvements.
Helen Mitchell, Head of Portfolios and Programmes at Transport for Wales, said:
“This project is a key part of our vision to enhance the passenger experience across the Welsh rail network in a smart and sustainable way. By working with Vix Technology and Gunnebo Entrance Control, we have been able to introduce a flexible and scalable solution that meets the needs of today’s travellers while ensuring future adaptability.”
The ticket barrier developed by Vix and Gunnebo meets TfWRL’s need to support both legacy and evolving ticketing technologies. Crucially, its modular, space-efficient design is adaptable for different stations, and fits within the footprint of TfWRL’s previous rail gates. As a result, the cost and impact of installation was minimised.
The gates are integrated to Unicard’s Ticketing Hub to process contactless payments, and to Vix’s cloud-based Cast platform, to enable staff to carry out monitoring and management tasks. These include local and remote gate configuration, scheduling, real-time gate status monitoring, device management, and data analysis and reporting.
The project was launched with a Proof of Concept stage at Newport and Cardiff Central stations, allowing for real-world testing and refinements based on user feedback. Following these successful trials, it was rolled-out across 95 stations.
Michael Hart, CRO at Vix Technology, said:
“Vix and Gunnebo have developed a future-ready solution to support Transport for Wales’ long-term objectives, including streamlined revenue collection, reduced fare evasion and smoother passenger journeys. We’re excited to see this solution paving the way for a fully integrated transport ticketing network.”
Mark Geering, Business Development Director at Gunnebo Entrance Control, added:
“This partnership has set a new standard for ticketing in the UK rail sector. We are proud to support Transport for Wales’ vision for a modern, passenger-friendly railway. Our collaboration with Vix has resulted in a robust and flexible ticketing solution that not only meets current demands but is also designed for future advancements.”