Wales Revolutionizes Rail Travel with Cutting-Edge Contactless Payment System

Wales is leading the charge in modernizing public transport, having successfully launched the first heavy rail Pay as you Go (PAYG) contactless system outside of London. This transformative initiative, a collaboration between Transport for Wales Rail (TfWRL), Vix Technology, and Gunnebo Entrance Control, is reshaping the passenger experience across the Welsh rail network.

A New Era of Seamless Travel

The partnership has seen the deployment of advanced digital ticket barriers, designed to facilitate simple, tap-on, tap-off contactless rail travel. This innovative system quickly gained traction, recently surpassing a remarkable two million journeys made using PAYG within its first year since launching in November 2024.

TfWRL’s commitment to an integrated, accessible, and efficient public transport network, aligned with the Welsh Government’s vision, drove the adoption of this PAYG system. Passengers can now enjoy the convenience of tapping on and off with a contactless EMV card or device, benefiting from daily and weekly capped fares that automatically optimize costs.

Meeting Modern Demands with Future-Ready Solutions

With its existing ticket barriers nearing end-of-life, TfWRL required a robust replacement that could handle a diverse range of digital fare media, including contactless EMV cards, mobile wallets, 1D and 2D barcodes, and ITSO smart cards, while still supporting traditional magstripe tickets. Crucially, the new gates needed to be adaptable to various station layouts, minimizing disruption during installation.

Beyond enhanced ticketing, this project is also laying the groundwork for significant improvements in real-time travel information. The future deployment of Video Help Points (VHPs) promises to offer passengers instant access to service updates, further enriching the overall customer experience.

Helen Mitchell, Head of Portfolios and Programmes at Transport for Wales, emphasized the strategic importance of the project: “This project is a key part of our vision to enhance the passenger experience across the Welsh rail network in a smart and sustainable way. By working with Vix Technology and Gunnebo Entrance Control, we have been able to introduce a flexible and scalable solution that meets the needs of today’s travellers while ensuring future adaptability.”

Innovative Design and Seamless Integration

The ticket barrier developed by Vix and Gunnebo expertly addresses TfWRL’s dual requirement of supporting both legacy and cutting-edge ticketing technologies. Its modular, space-efficient design proved highly adaptable, fitting precisely within the existing footprint of previous rail gates. This thoughtful design significantly reduced installation costs and minimized disruption.

These advanced gates are seamlessly integrated with Unicard’s Ticketing Hub for processing contactless payments, and with Vix’s cloud-based Cast platform. This powerful integration empowers staff with comprehensive monitoring and management capabilities, including local and remote gate configuration, scheduling, real-time status updates, device management, and in-depth data analysis and reporting.

The ambitious project began with a successful Proof of Concept (PoC) stage at Newport and Cardiff Central stations, allowing for essential real-world testing and refinements based on user feedback. Following these successful trials, the system was progressively rolled out across 95 stations.

Michael Hart, CRO at Vix Technology, highlighted the forward-thinking nature of the solution: “Vix and Gunnebo have developed a future-ready solution to support Transport for Wales’ long-term objectives, including streamlined revenue collection, reduced fare evasion and smoother passenger journeys. We’re excited to see this solution paving the way for a fully integrated transport ticketing network.”

Mark Geering, Business Development Director at Gunnebo Entrance Control, echoed this sentiment, stating: “This partnership has set a new standard for ticketing in the UK rail sector. We are proud to support Transport for Wales’ vision for a modern, passenger-friendly railway. Our collaboration with Vix has resulted in a robust and flexible ticketing solution that not only meets current demands but is also designed for future advancements.”