Travelcard wins national award

The unique Cheshire-based travel card scheme used daily by more than 2,000 people has won a prestigious national title. The project involving ‘stored value’ and ‘zone’ cards stretches from Chester, across parts of Cheshire and into Merseyside and North East Wales.

Led by the Council’s Transport and Regeneration Service, the scheme won the 2003 BP Bus Industry Innovation Award.

Its accolades include being the first project to join together four different commercial operators and various electronic ticketing suppliers, the first local authority – led scheme of its kind set up under the 2000 Transport Act and the first and only card to have money loaded onto it which has been certified by the Financial Services Authority.

Routes cover Chester, Flintshire, Ellesmere Port and Neston, Merseyside and in the past few weeks have stretched to rural areas including Tattenhall, Frodsham, Kelsall and the A41 route as far as Whitchurch.

“We are delighted that our Travelcard Scheme has been recognised nationally because it has a number of ‘firsts’ within the transport industry” said Environment Executive member County Councillor Andrew Needham.

“The most important is the link with four commercial operators – with plans to expand further across Cheshire in the future.

” It also gives passengers an alternative to fumbling for lose change to pay for tickets.

“And one of the two versions of the card gives ten per cent extra as an incentive each time money is loaded onto it.”

For more information and to request an application form please contact the Travelcard Helpdesk on 01244 973353 or contact the Transport and Regeneration Service on 01244 973469.

Transport and Regeneration Service, Rivacre Business Centre, Mill Lane, Ellesmere Port, CH66 3TL