Centro, the executive arm of the body responsible for public transport in the West Midlands, has partnered with Logica to develop the largest smartcard travel scheme outside of London.

The initial phase of the deal saw Logica develop and deliver 430,000 National Concessionary Passes for the over 60s and blind and disabled people in the West Midlands region. The system, which has now gone live, allows one in six people living in the West Midlands to use the bus anywhere in England for free.

Built upon smartcard technology, the passes can integrate with technology on many UK busses and will soon allow people to swipe on and off over 2,600 buses from over 50 depots in the region, as well as trains and trams.

Geoff Inskip, Chief Executive of Centro said: “We were delighted to appoint Logica, who provide us with the detailed knowledge and experience in transport technology and smart retailing we need to provide passengers with a smart transport system in the West Midlands.”

The cards were issued across the country as part of a Government scheme - the new English National Concessionary Transport Scheme (ENCTS). After the initial success, Centro and Logica will continue to work together to develop the remaining part of the programme which will go live during 2009.