DIAMOND Buses has invested in a new ticketing system across its West Midlands and Worcestershire network, including Redditch.
The deal with UK-based company Ticketer will see new ticket machines equipped with the latest technology go live on vehicles from April 23, 2017.
The investment means that Diamond can now offer passengers a range of new features including contactless payment.
Any ticket up to the value of £30 can be purchased via a contactless payment bank card on Diamond Buses through the new machines.
As well as offering the customer a more convenient way to pay, the new technology will speed up bus journey times because passengers will spend less time buying a ticket when they board.
Tickets will be printed with individual QR codes. The QR codes are scanned when boarding the bus which will significantly help to reduce fraudulent ticket use, a costly problem across the network.
The new ticket machines are equipped with the latest in tracking and communications; live real time information feeds will be reported back to depot traffic offices.
The company will be able to report delays much more accurately to customers and liaise with drivers to identify and rectify problems quickly.
Simon Dunn, chief executive of Diamond Bus parent company Rotala Plc, said: “I am really pleased with the progress we are making in Diamond Bus. This investment of in excess of £600,000 in new ticket machines, with all the benefits that brings to both customers and the business, is a clear demonstration of our determination to further improve the service we deliver to our passengers.”
