Abstract
The ITSO specification has played an integral role in the early success of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) that has rolledout across the country. On 1 April 2008, England took a momentous step onthe path towards integrated smart travel, with some 6.8 million cards being distributed to people over the age of 60 and the disabled. This articlediscusses the universal operability of the Travel Scheme; the current situation with concessionary fares in the UK; and what part it plays in the wider European context.