More than 200 Wolverhampton buses went ‘smart’ this week after they were fitted with electronic card readers that pave the way for a West Midlands version of the London Oyster Card.
The buses, all based at the Wolverhampton depot of bus company National Express West Midlands, represent the first large scale roll out in the Black Country of Centro’s Smartcard project. They are among 2,500 vehicles across the region that are being equipped with the technology.
The hi-tech readers are programmed to accept free national concessionary passes for older and eligible blind and disabled people. Holders simply place their card on the reader when they get on board and wait for the green light to show or the audible beep to be heard.
Only holders of concessionary passes will have to use the Smartcard readers at the moment and are being urged to make sure they have their pass ready in their hand when they get on board.
In the longer term, the state-of-the-art machines will enable new kinds of smart ticketing to be introduced which will simplify the ticketing process and make public transport even more convenient.
Centro’s Smartcard Development and Implementation Manager, Michael Wevill, said: “The roll out of this complex project is going really well and the kitting out of these 216 Wolverhampton buses shows our commitment to further improve services for Black Country passengers.
“We’ve had lots of positive comments about how easy and convenient the new system is from both passengers and bus companies in those areas which have already gone smart.
“We are now looking forward to completing the installation of Smartcard equipment on all the region’s buses over the coming weeks so passengers can get the full benefit of this world class ticketing system.”
Centro has scheduled to fit out all the buses and depots belonging to the region’s bus companies with the Smartcard machines and back office computer equipment by the end of the autumn.
The machines read a microchip which is embedded in all concessionary passes that allow free travel on local buses in England.
Holders of these passes in the West Midlands enjoy one of the best concessionary travel schemes in the country, however, with Centro also providing them with free travel on West Midland trains and trams.
As a result Centro is working with ticket machine suppliers to introduce a handheld Smartcard ticket machine that can be used by conductors on the Midland Metro.
Local rail operator London Midland also has a commitment to introduce Smartcard technology on the West Midlands rail network as part of its franchise agreement and Centro is working with the company to ensure their system is complimentary.
