Contactless payment has arrived at Blackpool Transport and wraps up a number of years of investment totalling more than £20m in team, technology and vehicles at Blackpool Transport.
Blackpool Transport introduced contactless payments on all buses on 14th February with more developments such as ‘tap and go’ ticketing and contactless payments on its famous trams following soon after.
Investment in brand new ticket machines with industry supplier Ticketer means a customer can use their contactless credit or debit card for a quick, easy and in current times, a safe way to pay. Apple and Android pay are also accepted. The introduction of new ticket machines is paving the way for several further enhancements. Security is being increased on paper and digital tickets with the introduction of QR code scanning, reducing potential fraud and speeding up boarding times.
Following soon after contactless payments will be a Tap and Go travel option, with customers automatically charged the best value fare for their journey. Drivers first use checks will also turn digital later in the year, as well as the introduction of passenger counting and vehicle occupancy information, including wheelchair bay availability, being made available on Blackpool Transport’s Passenger designed mobile app.
Jane Cole, Managing Director from Blackpool Transport said: “We are always proud to say that we work in collaboration with industry suppliers and this project has been an excellent example of working together to deliver better for the customers. The improvement work never stops here at Blackpool Transport and we have plans to deliver a tram ticketing solution with Ticketer later this year. Although it has been an unusual and challenging time for the industry, standing still can never be an option if we are to make bus travel even better than before.”
John Clarfelt, Founder, Ticketer, commented “This is the culmination of a long-held ambition, to work with Blackpool Transport on contactless and a host of other innovations for its customers. Both on bus and, shortly, on tram. This would be a complex project in normal times, let alone during COVID, and I am in awe of the way both teams have worked together to deliver a solution which fits Blackpool Transport’s requirements and meets the growing needs of its passengers.”