Together with its partners, Thales is at present delivering Europe’s first e-ticketing system to the Netherlands. Passengers in Rotterdam will be the first to use the new Netherlands travel card “OV-Chipkaart” later this year, with the full national rollout expected to be completed by 2007. Rejsekort’s agreement with the EastWest Consortium covers the provision and support of one million Travel Cards between 2007-2009, with an option for further Travel Cards to be delivered in instalments based on consumer uptake. Thales will provide the entire solution including a range of ticketing equipment, security and back-end systems, in addition to the expertise required to launch the new Travel Card scheme. TDC will lend support on the installation and maintenance of the system, and IBM SDC will provide the hosting for the back-end systems that support the new Travel Card. After a starting phase with pilot operation, during 2007, Travel Card operations are expected to begin in the course of 2008 east of the Great Belt. In a following step, the system will be expanded to the rest of the country in 2009. The Travel Card is a travel media for use in trains, buses, metro and other public transport means, which is valid at all times and everywhere in Denmark. The Travel Card should be easy to use and be available everywhere. kenneth.mcgilvary@hotwirepr.com www.thalesgroup.com/transport