I find all the negative comments on this thread a bit depressing.
Smart ticketing means either smartcard or barcode ticket on a flow.
And 'barcode ticket' means m-ticket (the kind you get in apps, and have to activate) or eTickets (the kind that look like airline tickets, or can just be printed off, and which don't need to be activated). Both can be scanned at gates or with hand-held validators. Both of these are linked to a distributed database for usage / refund etc. checking. eTickets are completely interoperable, there are no separate operator systems, and they can be rolled out everywhere except cross-London flows, as TfL is not equipped for barcode scanning and doesn't want to be. So there is some work being done to look at how to tackle that through NFC.
ITSO as it stands - with a separate HOPS for each operator - is not in the same league, but something that is PAYG-based does have a place in urban networks.
The first step of smart ticketing on every flow is going to happen by the end of next year. Yes, there will be some issues. No, CCST won't disappear. For millions of passenger journeys, this will be a massive improvement. It's not the solution to everything (fares complexity; ticket prices; everyone wanting ticket offices too) but it's a thing we should be welcoming, not tearing to pieces.
And yes, after the ITSO debacle, I understand the cynicism of many. I too think ITSO is basically a waste of money. But that doesn't mean we should not try to improve things. And it doesn't mean we won't succeed, either.
I'd urge people to be more supportive. It doesn't matter who it's announced by - I am not interested in a political point here (I haven't got one to make). What matters is how we can improve things for passengers.
I'm not being naive, and I'm all for informed and constructive debate, but I find it sad that there is so much cynicism, and so little (apparent) support. It's easy to criticise, it is much harder (especially in a distributed industry like rail) to go and achieve things.
Any support for helping achieve this small step in better ticketing is to be welcomed