Smart Card Funded Trials

The SCNF has been asked by DWP to identify candidate authorities to undertake a trial of applications linked to concessionary smart cards.

DWP is looking for one, maybe two authorities to undertake funded trials of these smartcard applications. The trial criteria are as follows:

1. A good size cohort of older people
2. A Smart Card initiative that can use the existing ENCTS concessionary pass
3. A data base to record activity and impact
4. Activities and concessions for older people
5. Some innovation especially linking National and Local entitlements to getting people active
6. Advice and guidance off the back of the card scheme
7. Engagement with isolated or inactive groups
8. Impact and testing in both Urban and Rural environments .

If you wish your organisation to be put forward to DWP, please sign up to the Forum (if not already a member) and request an application form by emailing chair@scnf.org.uk. We need responses by 16/12/09.

Kevin Farquharson
Co-Chair SCNF
www.scnf.org.uk

Successful Transport Workshop

The SCNF Transport event last week was a further success for the forum with a packed room of attendees from Local Authorities, London Councils and Central Government.

The workshop was arranged to explain the LASSeO standards for multi-application encoding on Desfire cards and discuss how it could be implemented. Mick Davies introduced LASSeO and the process of developing and maintaining standards. Owen McLaughlin explained the origins and scope the standards. Over 20 different applications were mentioned during the course of the workshop! Nicky Kaye gave the perspective of Bracknell Forest who have a multi-application concession card.

Gwyn Williams introduced the implementation guidelines which have been prepared and proposed cards should have at least basic encoding when issued. The implications of having multiple numbers on the card was discussed (ie transport and entitlement). Copies of the draft were circulated and feedback requested during and after the meeting. A final copy will be published on the website.

Steve Beecroft concluded the event by leading a discussion about the business case and scope for reducing/sharing scheme costs. Michael Murray from DWP announced an event for Local Authorities which they are planning for 3rd March 2010 – an important date for the diary.

Kevin Farquharson
Co-Chair SCNF
www.scnf.org.uk

SCNF Transport Workshop

The SCNF has received an excellent response from Local Authorities for the Transport Workshop on 11th Nov in London. Places are being taken up rapidly.

At the meeting members will be discussing the implications and opportunities when authorities start issuing concessionary passes on the Desfire smart card platform. As most authorities appear to have chosen this card type as the successor to Mifare which starts to be phased out in January, it is possible to plan for other applications and the wider use of the concession card.

The workshop will cover the background to the changes, specification for encoding Mifare cards, applications supported, implementation guidelines, learning from existing schemes, business case implications and testing facilities. A number of existing multi-application schemes will be represented, so we expect a very informative exchange of ideas and experience.

There are limited places at the workshop which are already 60% taken up, which is very encouraging. For more information, see the website and email events@scnf.org.uk.

Kevin Farquharson
Co-Chair SCNF
www.scnf.org.uk

Smartcard Specification for Multi-application Published

At last week’s conference in Cambridge, SCNF announced to its members that the LASSeO (Local Authority Smartcard Standards e-Organisation) specification has been ratified for the Phillips Desfire card type which most Transport Executives are intending to issue from January.

In 2010, concessionary card holders could be using their transport smart card to access services
at their library, leisure centre, community centre and town hall.

Ron Hetherington from Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council and SCNF Treasurer remarked: "Local Authorities have been holding back on the development of new applications for their smartcards because of uncertainty about the de-facto industry standard. Now that an industry specification has been developed, Local Authorities will be able to push forward their smartcard strategy more confidently.”

Following a technical agreement between ITSO (Integrated Transport Smartcard Organisation)
and LASSeO last month, LASSeO has published their specification for encoding multiple
applications on a transport card. The specification includes basic cardholder information, cash
collection, parking, identity, e-purse and entitlement.

For more information about the specification, SCNF plans to run a workshop in London on 11th November and the new specification can found on the following public page:
http://www.scnf.org.uk/nscp.html

Kevin Farquharson
Co-Chair SCNF
www.scnf.org.uk

Excellent ID and Libraries Event

Members of the SCNF enjoyed one of the best events we have run according to their feedback. Our members were among 250 attendees at the RFID Europe event in Cambridge last week.

The programme was compact yet encompassed 8 well informed speakers who all had new information and ideas to share with our audience. We are indebted to Axiell for sponsoring the event.

Members learnt about DWP's planned support for smartcard application trials, research outcome from Yorcard (DfT sponsored), Hillingdon scheme early results, Dudley RFID implementation, LASSeO agreement with ITSO on encoding concessionary passes for multiple applications, Lord Erroll on ID security and Dr John Gill on special needs applications.

Those present also had an opportunity to give their views on future SCNF events and initiatives to help SCNF members.

SCNF members can access all the presentation and feedback from the event at www.scnf.org.uk. For further information on the SCNF, please email chair@scnf.org.uk.

Kevin Farquharson
Co-Chair SCNF
www.scnf.org.uk

SCNF Identity & Library Event

SCNF members will be joining RFID Europe on 30th Sept in Cambridge for an important networking event and the first to hear from:

• Project Manager - Hillingdon First Card launched in June 2009
• Department for Work & Pensions - sharing best practice in supporting an ageing society
• West Yorkshire PTE - results from DfT sponsored research into Multi-application cards
• Lord Erroll - views on protecting personal identity in a networked world

There are only a limited number of places available.

Public Sector employees are invited to register and attend the event free of charge. For more information about the event see the SCNF website (www.scnf.org.uk) and RFID Europe (http://www.idtechex.com/rfideurope09/en/). The venue is on the edge of town and has sufficient parking for delegates.

To register for your free place, you need to become a member of the SCNF (go to www.scnf.org.uk/join.html) and email events@scnf.org.uk requesting your place. We will send confirmation and answer any queries by return.

Kevin Farquharson
Co-Chair
Smart Card Networking Forum

t: +44 (0) 1483 772241
e: chair@scnf.org.uk
w: www.scnf.org.uk

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DfT Ticketing Strategy Consultation

Yesterday, DfT issued its consultation on Ticketing Strategy which is due to conclude at the end of October. This is a very important exercise for all organisations involved in public transport, concessionary travel and service improvement initiatives. The SCNF already has a sub-group focussed on Transport and will be considering the questions raised and arrange a SCNF meeting before the consultation closes.

I have extracted a few lines from the DfT press release which can be found at:
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=406006&SubjectId=2

Paper travel tickets could become a thing of the past under proposals announced by the Government today. New technology, enabling mobile phones to double up as "swipe and go" cards and bank cards to be used to pay directly for journeys could revolutionise how travellers purchase and use tickets according to the new consultation. The Government estimates that the benefits of universal 'integrated smart' ticketing could be as much as £2 billion per year through improved journey times and faster, more convenient and reliable purchasing and use of tickets, with benefits for local government and operators too.

Central to the vision is the implementation of smart ticketing infrastructure using the Government backed ITSO specification to allow seamless travel between, and within, cities and regions; and different modes of transport. We could see the end to waiting in line at ticket machines, while buses could spend half the amount of time sitting at the bus stop waiting for people to board and looking for the right change.

DfT consultation also refers to joining up services through using smartcards for other products such as library membership, leisure centre entry, benefit entitlement, parking, bike and car hire, and even lift share arrangements.

Jonathan Bray, Director of the Passenger Transport Executive Group Support Unit said:
"We fully share the Government's ambition to see smart ticketing introduced across Britain's largest urban areas as soon as possible. Oystercard has become intrinsic to London life - passengers have a right to expect a similar deal in the next tier of major urban areas.
"We look forward to continuing to work with Government on the reform of bus subsidies that's currently underway to help make this happen."


Please let us know the points SCNF should discuss and look out for arrangements to discuss a response from SCNF.

Kevin Farquharson
Co-Chair SCNF
www.scnf.org.uk