Tracsis of Leeds wins ScotRail ‘Tap & Pay’ deal

Leeds-based transport technology provider Tracsis plc announced that following the successful completion of a six-month pilot, ScotRail is expanding the availability of its Tracsis-developed pay-as-you-go ticketing app to transform the way its customers travel. 

The ‘Tap & Pay’ app allows customers to experience the convenience of seamless, best value fare rail travel without the need to buy tickets in advance,” said Tracsis.

“It is now available for download in app stores, for travel initially in the Strathclyde area and routes between Strathclyde and Edinburgh. If successful, ScotRail will look to roll the app out more widely across its network. 

The app utilises Tracsis’ Hopsta platform to enable easy, ticket-free, pay-as-you-go travel. 

“This technology uses location mapping to identify the origin and destination station, generates a single-use barcode that can be scanned at ticket gates and on mobile devices, and automatically calculates and charges the best available fare based on the journey made and time of travel. 

“Customers making multiple trips on the same route over a week will never pay more than the cost of a weekly season ticket.”

Tracsis said its pay-as-you-go smart ticketing technology has been deployed on a standalone basis with multiple train operators across the UK.

To date, over 30 million customer journeys have been processed using a mix of ITSO smartcard and contactless bankcard transactions.

“The Hopsta platform that enables the Tap & Pay app was developed by Tracsis through R&D investment and now places best value fare pay-as-you-go directly in the hands of the consumer,” said the Leeds firm.

“Tracsis earns a commission on each ticket sold through the Tap&Pay app. This is not expected to be a material contribution to FY25 revenue as this technology moves through its early adoption phase with customers.”

Tracsis CEO Chris Barnes said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with ScotRail to expand the availability of its pay-as-you-go ticketing app which will deliver greater consumer choice and a best price guarantee without the need to pre-purchase a ticket.

“Tracsis has a long track record of working with the rail industry to deliver innovative technology solutions and this is reflected in the recent nomination of the Tap&Pay app for ‘Ticketing Technology of the Year’ at Transport Ticketing Global 2025.”

Claire Dickie, Commercial Director for ScotRail, said: “ScotRail is committed to improving the travel experience for our customers, and the launch of our new Tap&Pay app will make rail travel even more convenient for customers across large parts of the central belt. 

“The Tap&Pay app provides a smarter, more convenient way to travel, ensuring customers have a seamless travel experience and receive the best value fare for their journeys. 

“We are excited to offer more customers the chance to travel without the need to pre-purchase tickets in this next phase of the trial.”