Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your
contribution is not tax-deductible.)
PayPal Acct: 
Feedback: 
Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):
| [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: [1], 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ] |
| Subject: the Proton multi-application smart card system . | |
|
Author: which enhances the functionality of the ERG software |
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 10:16:38 02/09/03 Sun -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date Of Media Release 09/02/2000 Title National Express Group takes Shareholding in Prepayment Cards Limited Contact Wendy Watson-Ekstein Phone +61 8 9273 1204 Fax +61 8 9273 1208 Email wendywe@erggroup.com Division ERG Transit Systems -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Express Group takes Shareholding in Prepayment Cards Limited The decision by National Express to acquire a 10% stake in PCL from ERG Limited, the founding shareholder of PCL, moves the UK closer to having a nationwide, integrated multimodal smart card solution for public transport services. PCL was established as a joint venture company in September 1999 by ERG, Stagecoach Holdings plc and Sema Group UK Ltd. In December 1999 FirstGroup plc acquired a stake. The acquisition of a shareholding by National Express means that the three largest transport operators in the UK-Stagecoach, FirstGroup and National Express-all have an interest in PCL and have committed to use PCL's smart card and software services across all of their operations in the UK. This would involve a total of 20,000 buses with over 2 billion passenger journeys per annum. Plans are being developed to extend the use of the smart cards to rail ticketing. These PCL services will be available to all non-shareholder transport operators in the UK on the same basis as they are available to shareholders. PCL has exclusive UK rights to ERG's advanced software that enables the issue and management of smart cards in public transport and multi-application smart card systems. This software will comply with the specifications being developed by the Integrated Transit Smart Card Organisation, with the assistance of the Department of the Environment and Transport. This means that PCL's system would be capable of enabling one multi-application smart card to be used on all modes of transport across the UK. PCL also has an option to take an exclusive licence in the UK for the Proton multi-application smart card system which enhances the functionality of the ERG software. MEDIA RELEASE PCL has already won a contract with the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive to deliver a smart card solution for concessionary passengers in Greater Manchester. Following the investment in PCL, National Express has stated that it will move quickly to explore all opportunities for introducing smart card ticketing across its extensive bus and rail operations in the UK. National Express handles over 137 million passenger journeys each year on its five rail franchises. National Express's subsidiary, Travel West Midlands, is the leading bus operator in Birmingham and the West Midlands, which represents the largest single area bus network in the UK, and carries approximately 1 million passengers each day. Commenting on National Express's investment in PCL, Phil White, Chief Executive of National Express, said: "I am delighted to be joining forces with PCL and its other shareholders. I look forward to building on the improvements we have already made by investing in new vehicles, providing more services and working closely with our local authority partners. "Smart card ticketing will enable us to take another step closer to meeting the real needs of our passengers and delivering an integrated and seamless passenger transport network for the 21st century." Mr Peter Fogarty, Chairman of PCL and Chief Executive of ERG Group, welcomed National Express's investment in PCL. "Integrated transport across the UK is something the Government is committed to. The willingness of the major transport operators to join forces and collaborate in achieving this goal will benefit the travelling public across the UK. "PCL looks forward to assisting National Express in rolling out smart cards across its West Midland's bus network." The PCL network will provide benefits to both transport operators and passengers. Using the PCL licensed ERG software will deliver transport operators the same level of sophisticated management information enjoyed by the operators using the ERG installed Octopus System in Hong Kong. Passengers will benefit from being able to use smart card technology in place of traditional transport tickets. The smart cards can be personalised or anonymous and can be reloaded with cash or ticket types. The cards will give passengers access to other services and applications outside transport such as electronic purse for small retail purchases, telephone calls, vending, parking, toll payments and loyalty programs. -END- BACKGROUND INFORMATION Prepayment Cards Limited (PCL) PCL is a joint company of ERG Limited, Sema Group UK Ltd, Stagecoach Holdings plc, FirstGroup plc and National Express Group PLC. ERG is registered as the owner of 40% of PCL; Stagecoach 20%; Sema 10%, with an option over a further 10%; FirstGroup 20% and National Express Group 10%. PCL, through its subsidiary PCML, has an agreement with the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive to operate the Greater Manchester concessionary fare collection system. National Express Group PLC National Express Group is a leading mass passenger transport company. Over 800 million passengers use its bus, passenger rail, coach and airport services worldwide, each year. In addition to operating Britain's only scheduled express coach network, its Travel West Midlands subsidiary represents the UK's largest single area urban bus services network and also operates the new Midland Metro light rail system. The Group also owns the largest number of train operating companies in the UK, with five passenger rail franchises. In addition, it owns East Midlands and Bournemouth Airports. National Express is the third largest student transportation bus operator and the second largest privately owned provider of public transit bus services in the USA. In Australia, it is the largest private operator of public transport services on the continent. It operates bus services in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane and, last year, was awarded three franchises to operate train and tram services in Melbourne and across the State of Victoria. ERG Group The ERG Group is a world leader in the development and supply of technologically advanced smart card systems and services, automated fare collection products and systems, and telecommunications products and services. ERG provides turnkey solutions to customers, from design and manufacture to supply, installation, commissioning and ongoing service and maintenance and has a global smart card alliance with Motorola. ERG is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and ranks in the top 100 companies. It is capitalised at over $A2.1 billion. FirstGroup plc FirstGroup operates some 10,000 buses in the UK through 30 subsidiary companies. It is also responsible for First Great Western, First Great Eastern and First North Western train franchises. The Group also has a 51% stake in Bristol International Airport. It is a 26% shareholder in New World First Bus, responsible for the operation of over 800 buses in Hong Kong and as First Group America operates some 10,000 school buses throughout the USA. The Group's turnover is currently running at £2 billion per annum. Sema Group plc Sema Group is one of the world's leading IT and business services companies with more than 18,000 employees across Europe, Asia and the Americas. The Group's main business activities are consulting, systems integration, outsourcing and specialist software; particularly in the key sectors of finance, telecommunications, transport, the public sector, industry and energy. The Group is listed on both the London and Paris stock exchanges. In 1998 Sema Group's turnover reached £1.25 billion. Stagecoach Holdings plc Stagecoach Holdings plc is one of the largest bus and rail operators in the world, with about 45,000 employees and over 20,000 vehicles worldwide. In the UK, Stagecoach runs 19 bus companies with 7,400 vehicles, plus South West Trains, Britain's biggest commuter railway. It also owns Porterbrook rail leasing, 49% of Virgin Trains, and Glasgow Prestwick International Airport. Stagecoach owns Coach USA, the second largest bus operator in North America, as well as Citybus, the second largest bus operator in Hong Kong. Stagecoach is the largest bus operator in New Zealand. Founded in 1980 in Perth, Scotland, with just two buses, Stagecoach was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1993, and today has a market capitalisation of over £2. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ English ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Search for Archived Media Releases: [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |