One millionth PayPoint journey

Arriva is celebrating its one millionth passenger journey usingPayPoint.

The scheme was introduced to make it easier for people to buybus tickets when and where it is most convenient for them.

Joining forces with PayPoint means that Arriva customers acrossthe UK can purchase weekly or monthly passes at their local shops,while buying a pint of milk or newspaper.

It also has the added bonus of improving journey times, withpassengers not having to search for change as they areboarding.

Mike Woodhouse, marketing manager Arriva UK Regions, said:

This is fantastic news and shows how successful ourpartnership with PayPoint has been.

Our customers told us they wanted more choices forbuying bus passes when it is most convenient for them. Thisdelivers that convenience and hopefully makes bus travel eveneasier for many existing and new customers.

Innovative schemes like this are vital to show more andmore people how convenient it can be to use buses and leave the carat home. Reducing congestion and its environmental impact isbecoming increasingly important to people today.

The partnership was first trialled by Arriva in Scotland in 2004before being rolled out across the UK in 2005.

There are over 16,000 outlets using dedicated PayPoint terminalslocated in convenience stores, forecourts, supermarkets and offlicences up and down the country, and the millionth person gottheir ticket from a shop in Northumberland.

Mike Igoe, PayPoint Retail Director, said:

Our partnership with Arriva has allowed us to providecustomers with a convenient and flexible way to purchase bustickets and we are delighted to hear that we have reached the onemillionth customer milestone.

Not only is our service beneficial for customers,PayPoint retailers are also benefiting from increased revenue andfootfall in stores.