The Key (smartcard)
The Key is a contactless smartcard that is being progressively introduced to replace paper ticketing in public transport in Britain. It stores electronic tickets for use on bus and rail services in the United Kingdom, mainly those operated by the Go-Ahead Group. The Key is an ITSO compatible smartcard, ITSO being the UK Department for Transport’s chosen standard for interoperable contactless ticketing. It is also the format that ENCTS concessionary passes are required to be issued in. All Go-Ahead bus services which accept The Key also process ENCTS cards electronically. The Key brand is  owned and operated by the Go-Ahead Group. The Key is available to customers on the majority of the deregulated bus services operated by Go-Ahead Group in towns and cities across England. In addition, Govia train operating companies Southern, Govia Thameslink Railway and London Midland train operators introduced The Key as a new smart ticketing system on a phased basis across a series of routes and stations since 2010. The London Oyster card system was not originally compatible with ITSO. ITSO cards can now be used on Oyster card readers. Bus and rail operators accepting The Key. , the position  is: Full range of ticket types means that tickets can be purchased for single rides, daily, weekly, monthly and season tickets. Statistics. The Key has now been issued to 300,000 customers and is used for over 100,000 journeys per day.