Using buses, trains and trams is set to get easier for the West Midland’s public transport users this month when the region’s public transport body, Centro-PTA, launches it’s new ticket range.
From 10 September the organisation is issuing easier to understand, colour co-ordinated tickets which fall under the Network West Midlands brand - the new name that connects all public transport in the West Midlands region.
It is hoped that the new tickets together with improved passenger information will encourage more people to use public transport and make changing between different buses, trains and the Metro easier.
They also continue to offer great savings compared to the cost of buying separate tickets each time a member of the public uses a bus, train or tram.
“This is very good news for people of the West Midlands and visitors to the region,” comments Cllr Gary Clarke, Chairman of Centro-PTA.
“Changing between different modes of transport, or even buses run by different operators, is a common barrier to using public transport in the West Midlands.
“The newly branded ticketing means passengers and operators will easily be able to see where and when their tickets are valid, and make using all modes of public transport easier and more affordable for all.”
Centro-PTA currently offers a range of tickets to benefit public transport users with different needs across the West Midlands, all carrying different names including Centrocard, Busmaster, Railmaster and Daytripper.
The new tickets will all carry the Network West Midlands logo with their names changed to nnetwork, nbus, nrail and ndaytripper respectively.
Free travel passes for the over 60s and people with a disability will now be called nconcession.
The tickets will be colour co-ordinated depending on which modes of transport they can be used. Green will apply to rail only tickets, orange for bus only tickets, and blue for those that can be used on buses, trains and trams.
“By using uniform Network West Midlands branding across the ticket range, public transport users will find the ticket options available to them much clearer and easier to understand.” explains Julia Lameris, Marketing Manager for Centro-PTA.
“It is an important step forward in the roll out of Network West Midlands which aims to give clear and up-to-date timetable, journey and ticketing information to make using public transport easier for the travelling public.”
Current Centro-PTA Busmaster and Railmaster tickets or Centrocards are valid until their date of expiry and do not have to be changed for the new look tickets until this time.
For more information about the new tickets, or about Network West Midlands, people can pick up information leaflets from train stations and Centro and Travel West Midlands information centres. Alternatively, they can visit www.networkwestmidlands.com
