Main heading

Ref: 413-08                                                                                                                                 17^th December 2008

New Style Ticket Machines On Bakerbus Are Amongst The First In The Country

BakerBus from Congleton is one of the first bus companies in England to install ticket machines which electronically read all the new English Concessionary Bus Passes.

This has been made possible by partnership working between BakerBus and Cheshire County Council.

All BakerBus vehicles have been equipped with ticket machines which check that the passes are valid and record details of the journeys being made.

The new national Concessionary travel scheme began in April and everyone aged 60 and over as well as people with certain disabilities have the same card across the country. The scheme replaces cards which could only be used in one geographical area.

Each new pass is a smartcard which contains a microchip and eventually every bus in England will be fitted with smartcard readers.

Cheshire’s Executive Member for Highways and Transportation Eveleigh Moore-Dutton said: “Cheshire County Council has been at the forefront of developing the technology smartcards for public transport for many years.

“Indeed Cheshire has played a major role in developing the technology for the whole public transport industry.

“Smartcards which accept Concessionary passes issued by every local authority in England is another step forward and opens up the way ahead for introducing other transport smartcards, for example, weekly tickets and for home to school travel.”

Phil Baker, Managing Director of BakerBus said: “We take great pride in being a very professional and innovative bus operator.

“We are delighted at being one of the first to electronically accept the new concessionary smartcards issued by every local authority in England and this new technology helps both the passenger and the bus operator.

“Now we have the equipment in place, we look forward to introducing further smartcard tickets in 2009.”

-Ends-

SW/CD

PHOTO CAPTION: Managing Director Of Bakerbus Phil Baker And Colin Kennington From Cheshire County Council Examine The New Ticket Machine.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For More Information Please Contact County Councillor Moore-Dutton On 07711 817060, Principal Transport Officer Colin Kennington On 01244 973723 And Phil Baker, Bakerbus On 01782 522101.