Stapleford passengers in bus fare trial
28 February, 2008
In a move that could revolutionise bus travel in future, they are carrying smart cards that are activated using GPS technology.
It means no more fiddling with coins, which will speed up boarding times and lead to better timekeeping.
Rainbow 4
The new Mango smart cards are being used by trent barton on its rainbow 4 service which runs through Sandiacre and Stapleford between Nottingham and Derby.
By the end of 2008, the company aims to roll out the system on to all its routes.
First of its kind
The smart card technology is the first of its kind – a GPS-based system driven by a new ticket machine.
Cardholders apply and register online, charging up their Mango which offers, for example, a 25% discount on single fares.
Mark Greasley, commercial manager at trent barton, said: “We believe that Mango will bring about a revolution in bus travel. It gives us the scope to tailor our fares to suit individual customers, and the time saved on the bus platform will improve our punctuality without compromising the personal service for which we are so well known.
Volunteer Customers
“The first trial with the panel of volunteer rainbow 4 customers went very smoothly, and enabled us to sort out some technicalities. Our drivers have been very impressed with the new ticket machine which works just as easily as a supermarket till, doing away with time-consuming entry codes for each ticket.
“We are keen now to bring the benefits to a wider audience – first to rainbow 4 where it all began, and then to all trent barton routes.”
By editor@nottinghamng9.co.uk.
