First Bristol has announced plans to move towards ‘the next generation of smart ticketing’ across the city over the next two years.
The bus company said this represents a major step in Bristol mayor George Ferguson’s plan to introduce a 'Bristol Smart Pass’.
A joint bus and rail smartcard scheme will be launched in the first quarter of next year, initially offering weekly ticketing options to customers.
The company said that by 2018 residents ‘will be able to move freely across the city from bus to train, purchasing tickets with just a tap of their credit or debit card, accessing real time information via a new unified app that brings bus and rail information and ticket booking in one place’.
It is also looking to introduce contactless credit card payments on certain services - a proposed pilot scheme will test plans to totally replace cash payments by 2020.
James Freeman, managing director of First Bristol said: ‘The smart revolution in transport ticketing is definitely rolling into town. This year will see further developments in preparation for taking major steps forward in 2017.
‘The aim is to provide people with a really simple, easy and cost-effective way of paying for their travel and to speed up boarding times. We know these are currently very slow in the West of England and a cause of some real frustration.’
Mr Ferguson said: ‘I’m delighted with this development, building on my ambition to introduce a ‘Bristol Smart Pass'. I have been determined to implement the next generation of smart ticketing across Bristol to enable vastly improved movement and access by public transport.
‘Technology has moved at such a pace over the past three years, with the vast majority of us now using smartphones as an integral part of our day to day lives. While ensuring it does not exclude anyone, it makes total sense to focus developments around harnessing these new smart systems which will soon make “Oyster card” type ticketing yesterday’s technology.’
