After the problems surrounding the Get me there ticketless system, a new report out today is promising smart phone tickets for Metrolink and pre-paid travelcards onto smartcards for use on bus services across Greater Manchester.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has pledged its commitment to smart ticketing following the termination of a contract with key supplier Atos in August.
Now members of the TfGM Committee are to be updated with revised plans for ‘smart’ travel, which include key developments such as Introducing a smart phone app, enabling passengers to buy and download Metrolink tickets through their smartphone. ‘Mobile ticketing’ is already offered by some bus companies.
The Upgrading of the network’s 250-plus ticket machines so people can use contactless bank cards to buy printed tickets.
While on the buses enabling passengers to load a range of pre-paid travelcards onto smartcards for use on bus services across Greater Manchester and assisting smaller bus companies in being part of the smart ticketing future too by ensuring they have the right on-board kit and back-office connections.
Building on the smart ticketing discussions that have taken place since 2011, TfGM has been working with the three largest bus operators – Arriva, First and Stagecoach – as well as multi-operator travelcard provider SystemOne, to include get me there in their smart ticketing plans.
The result is passengers will soon be able to load an initial range of pre-paid multi-operator bus travelcards onto a get me there card or an operator’s smartcard and then simply touch in as they board their bus.
The get me there Metrolink app will allow passengers to buy and download a range of e-tickets onto their smartphone before they board, instead of having to queue for a printed ticket.
Details for passengers of how the systems will work, and what tickets and travelcards will be available, will be publicised as the schemes are rolled out by operators and TfGM.
