After being given the green light earlier this year to introduce fast contactless payments across MK bus services, the council will now work with operators to roll the programme out.
Funding has been secured from SEMLEP to start the tender process to buy street equipment of vending machines to implement smart ticketing across bus services in the city.
The new system will allow users to use a dedicated multi-operator smart card – similar to London’s Oyster Card. Customers will still be able to pay by cash and some operators will accept other debit/credit cards.
The benefits of this approach include:
- Reducing boarding times
- Insight into travel patterns and customer needs
- Not having to find the correct change when boarding
- Promote the multi-operator offer
Steve Hayes Head of Transport said, “This initiative will benefit bus users in the borough allowing flexibility. It will reduce times when on the bus and customers need not worry about having the right change to pay.”
“A good smart ticketing network aims to encourage more people to use public transport and we want to roll it out across other transport methods. We are excited to work with partners to provide a smarter alternative for our customers.”
The tender process will begin later this year and is anticipated to roll out through 2020.
Source: https://www.mkfm.com/news/local-news/smart-ticketing-set-to-make-life-easier-for-passengers/
