Arriva develops smart card

Arriva has introduced a smart card scheme in the Telford area to ensure that passengers no longer have to fumble for cash when they board the bus.

ArrivaCard has been developed in conjunction with Wayfarer Transit Systems and in trials it has helped to improve boarding times, which have a major impact on bus punctuality.

The card can be topped up on board buses, as well as at over a dozen PayPoint outlets in the area and at the town’s bus station run by Telford & Wrekin Council.

A strong marketing campaign has been developed including the www.arrivacard.co.uk website, while an initial trial of 150 bus users has provided an excellent response.

Mike Cooper, managing director for Arriva UK Regions, said:

We are committed to making using the bus as easy as possible for people and our smart card does just that.

Follow up surveys carried out show 85 per cent of users were very satisfied when using the card and 94 per cent would recommend ArrivaCard to others. This is a very exciting scheme.

Steve Bentley, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Environment & Regeneration, said:

The trial proved this helps speed up bus users access to the vehicles. A cashless system is more convenient and safer for staff and public alike. I welcome this scheme, it helps make sure buses arrive and depart as scheduled.

Philip Ayles, Director of Business Development (UK) at ticketing technology provider Wayfarer Transit Systems, said:

The Arriva smart card is an exciting addition to the existing ticketing repertoire, most notably through the ability of customers to recharge their smartcards either on-bus or off-bus.

ArrivaCard is simple to use – passengers just place their card on the ticket machine and the driver deducts the cost of the ticket they want. A receipt is issued each time it is used so people know exactly how much money is left on the card. It also gives the flexibility to buy whichever ticket is the most convenient, including Singles, Returns, Day and Weekly tickets.

ArrivaCard can be obtained a number of ways –

• visiting the Arriva website: www.arrivacard.co.uk
• writing to: FREEPOST RRKB-ZERX-EYYB Arriva Midlands, Delta Way, Cannock WS11 0XB
• In person at the Telford Travelink Shop in Telford Town Centre Bus Station
• Call the ArrivaCard Hotline on 0845 600 6026 (Local call rates apply)