Article Highlights
The Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, which runs the Glasgow Subway, recently launched open-loop payments, following Transport for London’s playbook for the service. It got help in implementing the technology from a sole-source contract it awarded to incumbent vendor Scheidt & Bachmann.
• Document: Report to SPT Strategy & Programmes Committee, recommending award of no-bid contract, Nov. 2023
• SPT (Glasgow)
• Glasgow Subway
• Scheidt & Bachmann
• TfL (London)
The Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, or SPT, which runs the Glasgow Subway, is following the lead of Transport for London and a number of other UK transport agencies in promoting open-loop payments as the recommended and “easiest” way to pay for both regular and occasional riders.
SPT recently launched its open-loop service last month, offering pay-as-you-go ticketing, with daily and weekly fare caps and the same pricing as customers who use the agency’s long-established closed-loop reloadable smart card. Many transport agencies in other countries, such as France, target open loop at tourists and other visitors, enabling users only to pay for single, full-fare rides.


