A hi-tech all-in-one travel pass you can use on buses, trains and even flights was previously thought to be the stuff of fiction, but next year the MultiPass will be trialled in London and Glasgow.
The idea comes from the Technology Strategy Board, the Government’s innovation arm and has been awarded £1.1m to pilot the technology. The name MultiPass comes from ‘The Fifth Element’, a futuristic film set in the 23rd century where the pass is used for all modes of travel, including; of course space travel.
While we may not have regular commutes to Venus, the real MultiPass looks set to solve two common problems for regular commuters. First of all, it looks to eliminate the need for multiple tickets and cards for different journeys – a minor stress but something to consider nonetheless. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, the MultiPass is designed to obtain the cheapest prices for your travelling needs automatically. This will save travellers the hassle of online research to find the cheapest way to travel.
The MultiPass could replace season tickets and Oyster cards, and you could even use it to pay for parking and refreshments throughout the journey. The technology is due to be tested in two pilot schemes towards the middle of next year in London and Glasgow. It is hoped that the technology will then be fully rolled out in 2015.
The way we pay for travel is already changing though. Since the end of last year, passengers on London buses have been able to pay for travel using contactless card payments and from early 2014 this method will be accepted on trains, tubes and trams throughout London.
What makes the MultiPass different, say its creators, is its ability to find the best price for the journey, saving people both money and time.
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