Parkeon wins Edinburgh tram contract

Leading ticketing technology company Parkeon Transit has been awarded the contract to provide the complete ticketing system for the Edinburgh tram project.

The contract with Parkeon includes the supply and maintenance of the company’s latest Galexio-Plus ticket machines, Axio platform validators, and hand-held payment terminals. The system will be enabled to dual-read both ITSO cards and the Lothian Buses’ Ridacard, and will be linked to the existing Lothian Buses’ back office, with card holders sharing the benefits across both the tram and bus networks within Edinburgh.

During the procurement process, Edinburgh assessed Parkeon as performing strongly on the provision of an integrated ticketing system.

The announcement is the final major contract to be let for the tram project and is part of the overall £742m budget. Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Hinds said: “This contract is significant, not only because it will provide an integrated system for the city’s public transport network, but also because it’s the last significant contract to be let for the tram project.

“With testing now underway on the western side of the route and all contracts in place, I’m happy that things are progressing well and, along with the project team, I’m looking forward to a productive and successful 2013.”

Passenger services are expected to run by summer 2014 and it’s anticipated that full route tram testing will take place from Edinburgh Airport to York Place in late Spring 2014.

Said Owen Griffith, Managing Director of Parkeon Transit: “This is a landmark project for Parkeon and reflects both our position as a market leader in delivering ITSO schemes and the inherent innovation that supports the development of our ticketing technology.”