Drivers of Transdev Keighley buses are reporting that passengers are already getting the hang of using their new smartcard ticket machines after just a week.

Since Sunday 27 November, people with English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) passes have been among the first in the region to be able to swipe their pass on the new ticket readers when boarding Transdev Keighley services.

Grapevine

"The message we are getting back is that when boarding, pass-holders have taken quite naturally to swiping their card at the same time as telling the driver their destination," said Transdev Keighley commercial director, Geoff Lomax. "It seems to be a combination of people seeing others using the new machines, trying it for themselves, information sessions at Keighley Bus Station and the news about them spreading through the town's grapevine."

In the future 'Oyster-style' smartcards which are currently being developed by Metro and its partners will make using public transport more convenient for passengers. Fewer people needing to pay cash for individual tickets will help to improve the punctuality of bus services by reducing boarding times.

"I am pleased to hear that Keighley passengers are taking to using Smartcards like 'an Oyster to water', said Metro Chairman Cllr James Lewis. "This is a step forward in the process of introducing Smartcards and we will be using the feedback from this pilot."

Although there have been a few passengers whose passes would not scan, due to a problem with the chips in individual passes, they have been able to continue using their passes by showing them to the driver as before.

Roll-out

To speed up the roll-out process for the Smartcard scheme, Metro agreed last month to provide funding for smaller bus operators to install the card reader ticket machines.

The larger companies have already starting programmes to equip their vehicles. Arriva has recently introduced smartcard ticket machines to its vehicles used on services in the Dewsbury and Cleckheaton areas.

The need for Smartcard readers will be written into the franchises for local rail services when they are renewed in 2013, to ensure the system to be used on local train services,

This is a step towards the introduction of a scheme which will eventually enable passengers will to charge up their cards, at a network of retail outlets such as Travel Centres or online, with cash to be used for journeys across West Yorkshire and beyond. The cards can also be used to show the concessions to which people are entitled, which is how they will be used for the first pilot scheme in the Keighley area.