The Derby-based security print specialist has held the contract since 1996. The new deal will run until June 2006.

BemroseBooth business development director Andy Blundell said the extension would involve the production of hundreds of millions of tickets a year across a range of product types.

This contract is one of our most significant and we expect it to continue to evolve over the next few years, he added.

Throughout the extension BemroseBooth will be committed to continuing product innovation, including the adoption of Smart/RFID (radio frequency identification) technology.

Blundell said BemroseBooth was, quite well advanced in the development of RFID-enabled items, but there was a gradual adoption curve by the TOCs that would take several years.

He also pointed to the London Undergrounds Oyster ticket project, and how quickly passengers were adopting the technology even though it was still developing.

BemroseBooths new deal was confirmed on behalf of the UK TOCs by FPA Consulting, which specialises in strategic procurement contracts.

FPA Consulting director Susan Munro said the extension had always been an optional part of the initial deal, subject to satisfactory fulfilment.

BemroseBooth has sales of more than 60m and employs 850 people across its sites in Derby, Hull and Teesside.

The firm has evolved from an MBO of Bemrose Corporations specialist print division in 2000, backed by Lloyds Development Capital and Bank Of Scotland.

This year it has also won a contract with National Book Tokens and a five-year deal to produce all machine-issued tickets for National Car Parks (PrintWeek, 21 August).

Story by Andy Scott