FirstGroup plc, headquartered in Aberdeen, and Hoeft & Wessel AG, Hannover/Germany, have signed a framework agreement for the supply of electronic ticket machines (ETMs). This is part of First´s new E- Ticketing system for its English bus fleet. The initial order volume covers a solution with 4,000 ETMs tightly integrated into Firsts IT-system. Further orders with a volume of 1,500 machines and more are planned. The supply contract also includes the development of the contactless credit card option EMVco (Europay, Mastercard, Visa contactless) for the ETMs. EMVco has become an international standard and supports fast contactless payment and ticketing.
The delivery of the large-scale order is scheduled to begin immediately. The UK´s largest bus operator with 5,000 buses outside of London has already ordered ETMs from the Almex division of Hoeft & Wessel for its regional operation utilities in Wales and Scotland. This contract supports the long- lasting co-operation between both companies.
The order comprises on-board computers with ticket printers of the new almex.optima bl series, mobile terminals of the product line almex.mobile, validators of the product group named almex.smartfare, and the almex.office back-office system. All functionalities are based on the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) with the E-Ticketing standard ITSO.
The Hoeft & Wessel Group is the leading IT and engineering technology Group for ticketing, parking and mobile solutions in Germany and Great Britain.
With its Almex ticketing solutions Hoeft & Wessel is a leading supplier of E-Ticketing systems based on open standards like ITSO, VDV-KA or Calypso in Europe. Its main locations are Hannover, Germany, and Swindon, UK, to the west of London.
