Transport authorities have admitted that a parent was able to view another customer's information when they purchased a Go School card online.

The smartcards must be used by children travelling to school from January 7. It costs 25p per journey but children who are entitled to free school meals will not have to pay. They will still be issued with an identical card.

In a statement, Isle of Man Transport said improvements were being made to the website and confirmed there had been an 'isolated incident', adding: 'We have investigated this incident and it appears that the parent entered their card number incorrectly and by coincidence there was already a customer with that number using the same password.

'The password chosen was not ‘strong’. When a password is set customers are informed if it is weak, medium or strong and we will be modifying the website so that only strong passwords will be accepted.

'We are confident it is not possible to view other people’s details when using a correct card number and a strong password. In this incident only the name and address of another customer was viewed briefly; no other personal information and no payment details were seen. Credit card details are not retained and the site complies with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS).

'This incident was unconnected with the free school travel cards which will be issued directly to eligible pupils by the Department of
Education and Children.'

Kate Beecroft MHK is pictured launching the Go School smartcard.

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