Bus operators lagging behind in technology

[lxfe_mxtterz]

A few months ago, when I used MD Coaches (of Devon)'s route 671, they were only accepting cash, and the driver had a hand-held ticket machine which he stuck down the side of the driver's seat. This journey was operated by a tiny unbranded van, however, and there clearly wasn't any room for a standard ticket machine.

The previous time I used this route, my journey was operated by an Optare Solo - that did have a proper ticket machine but I'm 99% sure it was still cash only.

 

[Simon75]

Aimees in Leek, cash only I believe.

Yes you're correct. They also use non-Ticketer machines.

 

[markymark2000]

Another one which would have been added to the list was Minsterley Motors. A medium size operator in Shropshire. They only adopted Ticketer in the last 6 months or so.

 

[Harpers Tate]

Where did I say that?

You didn't. But it happens in real life.

 

[Ken H]

A few months ago, when I used MD Coaches (of Devon)'s route 671, they were only accepting cash, and the driver had a hand-held ticket machine which he stuck down the side of the driver's seat. This journey was operated by a tiny unbranded van, however, and there clearly wasn't any room for a standard ticket machine.

The previous time I used this route, my journey was operated by an Optare Solo - that did have a proper ticket machine but I'm 99% sure it was still cash only.

A setright? Please say yes!!!

 

[GusB]

For anyone who is interested in the wider debate about the use of cash in society, there is an established thread here:

Is the use of cash dying out?

Do you mean the distinction between an Oyster card (the card which stores money) and a contactless bank card (which just represents an account where the money is stored)? mods note - split from here. Of course not - I'm comparing either/both of these (neither of which is physical cash in your...

www.railforums.co.uk

It would be appreciated if we could keep this thread for discussing the use (or lack thereof) of technology on buses. Thanks

 

[Dai Corner]

Newport Transport's Yutong rechargeable buses, and some others I think, are fitted with screens and loudspeakers for destination and next stop announcements but they have never been used.

The Welsh Government have funded tap-off pads on most, if not all, buses that I've been on but only Cardiff Bus have started to use them.

Off-bus, Newport City Council's departure displays at the bus stations and major stops have not worked for years. Some show the wrong time.

 

[AwkwardHail]

Sussex Coaches (who run the frequent 68 from Horsham to Broadbridge Heath every thirty minutes in each direction) are still cash only and still use ancient Wayfarer Saver ticket machines. As far as i am aware this is probably the most frequent bus route in the UK that is still cash only. All other cash only bus operators seem to be small little community bus operators where 99% of passengers have ENCTS passes or operators of rural routes that run just a few times a day.

Autocar and Kent Coach Tours and Reptons Coaches are all cash only too and they all get some use by ordinary fare paying passengers.

Buses 4 U do not even have ticket machines or issue any tickets at all. Not even any handwritten tickets. You just simply hand your cash to the driver and that is it. If you purchase a Return instead of a Single then the driver just remembers your purchase for the journey back. The drivers also seem to just make up any price on the spot as every time i use them it costs a different price. They never follow the correct route or the correct timetable either especially on the return journeys.

All of these are still cash only:

• Autocar
• Battle Area Community Transport
• Bexhill Community Bus
• Buses 4 U
• Community Transport For The Lewes Area
• Compo Community Bus
• Cresta Coaches
• Handcross & District Community Transport
• Harting Minibus
• Kent Coach Tours
• Midhurst Community Bus
• Reptons Coaches
• Runnymede Community Transport
• Rye & District Community Transport
• Selsey Community Bus
• Sussex Coaches
• Waverley Hoppa
• Wealdlink Community Transport

All of the buses in the Outer Hebrides are still cash only too. The council recently funded the switch from the VIX ERG TP5000 machines to Ticketer machines but they choose the cheaper older Ticketer version that does not accept contactless. So it is still cash only on these islands.

It would be interesting to know how many operators are not using Ticketer machines. Ticketer seems to be used by like 99% of operators these days.

Abus in Bristol are currently cash only too, although this may change when they get their new ticket machines in a few weeks.

 

[Parebunks]

Pulhams in the Cotswolds still only take cash for some routes - although they claim to take contactless on the X9, that definitely wasn't the case when I used it a few weeks ago. Probably one of the larger operators that haven't fully converted?

 

[adrianjohnson]

TrentBarton used to have next stop announcements and displays, as well as wifi, but these have been switched off in recent years. Some buses have the displays working, though am not sure if it's on a per-bus or per-route basis.
Notts & Derby have Ticketer machines, but only recently started accepting contactless on some buses.

 

[MCR247]

Although I have to say it took them long enough! I can't remember when they started accepting contactless but it was in the last couple of years - three years ago when I was in my first year at uni they were cash only (although granted they do have the app you can pay on, so reducing the difficulty somewhat. All good now and buying tickets on the app really speeds up boarding.

Yes it was unfortunate timing in that they’d recently invested in new ticket machines and readers that unfortunately did not support contactless right before it boomed.

TrentBarton used to have next stop announcements and displays, as well as wifi, but these have been switched off in recent years. Some buses have the displays working, though am not sure if it's on a per-bus or per-route basis.
Notts & Derby have Ticketer machines, but only recently started accepting contactless on some buses.

Was a standard feature on new orders, unfortunately they essentially had to choose between keeping displays, announcements and their old mango cards (their old ticket machines) and accepting contactless (new ticketer machines). Whilst there was a period they kept both (and buses running around with two ticket machines each) naturally that was never going to last long

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

A setright? Please say yes!!!

Haha, if only...

It was something a slightly bit more modern - but unsure of the model, I'm afraid.

 

[kijeta]

Monmouthshire County Council Passenger Transport Unit Community Transport fits exactly that description. They're a community transport organization which is fully owned by the county council.
They have no website at all, and until my recent complaints, they didn't publish any accurate timetables online (or on bustimes) or at any bus stops (even Monmouth bus terminus). The longer-serving drivers would just let passengers on without bothering to fiddle with the ticket machine unless the passenger is a concessionary pass holder. A wave of Stagecoach drivers recently moved over, unfortunately carrying their culture here. Some tourists would not have been able to take the service if it wasn't for me offering to pay for their nominal fares, as they did not have the exact fare by cash, and MCCPTU does not have contactless enabled on the ticketers.

 

[markymark2000]

The Welsh Government have funded tap-off pads on most, if not all, buses that I've been on but only Cardiff Bus have started to use them.

Arriva Cymru and Lloyds Coaches are also making use of the tap on, tap off readers which the Welsh Govt funded.

 

[mic]

stotts of Oldham are cash only but they have ticketer machines but not the bit to pay with card

 

[kijeta]

Newport Transport's Yutong rechargeable buses, and some others I think, are fitted with screens and loudspeakers for destination and next stop announcements but they have never been used.

The Welsh Government have funded tap-off pads on most, if not all, buses that I've been on but only Cardiff Bus have started to use them.

Off-bus, Newport City Council's departure displays at the bus stations and major stops have not worked for years. Some show the wrong time.

The TVs on the 3xx (E200s) sometimes show the destination, often abbreviated (e.g. to Newpt). Which makes me wonder why they aren't better used, if the hardware is already mostly there.

The displays at Friars Walk functioned for a month earlier this year iirc, but it has been starting up ever since...

Do you know if the Welsh Gov sponsoring the tap-on/tap-off pads is part of their aim for the One Network, One Timetable, One Ticket?

 

[ScotrailINV]

All of the buses in the Outer Hebrides are still cash only too. The council recently funded the switch from the VIX ERG TP5000 machines to Ticketer machines but they choose the cheaper older Ticketer version that does not accept contactless. So it is still cash only on these islands.

Incorrect - Certainly on Lewis & Harris all vehicles operating Council tendered services have been fitted with Ticketer Compact machines with contactless readers since well before Covid.

I've been using contactless to pay for all my journeys for at least 3 years now. If I remember correctly it was a condition to fit the new machines when the lots were re-tendered in early 2019.