 The Oyster card is the smartcard used in London |
Transport experts, planners and politicians are meeting in Glasgow to discuss the use of the smartcard. More than 60 delegates, including government officials, will be learning more about the technology and its use abroad.
Paul Chan will be speaking about Octupus, the system used in Hong Kong, and John Stout will be speaking about the Oyster card, used in London.
The Scottish Executive has said it is committed to the card's introduction.
Supporters of the scheme say it will make travel by public transport easier by simplifying the payment of fares.
'A must'
Ron Culley, chief executive of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), has been investigating the technology already in use in other cities both in the UK and abroad.
"If we are serious about making public transport easier to use and encouraging more people to use the services provided, then introducing more technology is a must," he said.
"The Octupus and Oyster card systems are successfully operating in two densely populated cities, so we know the technology is well and truly tried and tested.
"I hope delegates will come with an open mind, but I am under no illusions that the successful introduction of such a scheme depends on all transport providers being willing to participate."
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