New ticket technology for bus fleet

A MULTI-MILLION pound investment was announced yesterday to install revolutionary ticketing technology on a 1,100-strong fleet of the region’s main bus operator.

FirstGroup intends to be the first bus operator outside of London to offer customers “touch in touch out” payment.

The new ticket machines, designed to read contactless debit or credit cards, will be introduced on buses in North and West Yorkshire next year.

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The technology is aimed at mirroring the success of the Oyster card system which was introduced on London’s public transport system in 2003.

But unlike the Oyster system, passengers in Yorkshire will not need to carry an additional card or contend with pre-payment or topping up. Customers using the contactless cards will simply see the cost of the fare deducted from their bank or credit card balance.

First’s regional managing director in the North of England, Dave Alexander, claimed the move was a “groundbreaking announcement for the bus industry”.

It is hoped the new £6m scheme will also encourage more car drivers to opt for bus travel amid the soaring price of fuel.