All elderly given bus smart cards
A £2.2 million bus smart card system has been rolled out to all concessionary users.
OneCards are now being used by thousands of elderly and disabled bus passengers in the county, completing phase one of the scheme.
All passengers in Leicestershire could be using them by 2014.
Electronic chips fitted to OneCard passes can be swiped on scanners on First, Centrebus and Arriva buses to register journeys, meaning passes no longer have to be shown.
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Passengers top up their cards with cash when necessary.
Leicester City Council transport spokesman Councillor Rory Palmer said: "The OneCard system is now fully operational for concessionary pass users in Leicester and Leicestershire. This system is working well and proves that the technology works.
"The next phase is to develop the system for all bus users and across different operators.
"This is a huge project for the city council and for the bus companies and it is likely to be a year or two before we can fully offer this service.
"Along with real-time bus information, we are confident the One Card system will play a major role in modernising and improving bus travel."
Valarie Platt, 67, of Thurmaston, said: "I find the system much easier.
"I don't have to linger at the front while the bus is moving, I can just quickly swipe and find a seat."
Sheila Kirkham, 78, of Western Park, Leicester, said: "The Oyster card system works very well in London so I'm surprised it has taken so long for it to come to Leicester.
"It has made a real difference and I'm sure a lot of people will use it when it becomes available to everyone."
Ben Scatterty, 20, a student from the city centre, said: "It's not as vital in Leicester as in London – and the system in London has come under fire .
"I would imagine for people who use buses frequently it could be beneficial."
Elliott Butlin, 20, a student from the city centre, said: "It needs to have a clear system for payments for it to be effective.
"Personally, I wouldn't get it because I don't use buses enough.
"But I would certainly say people would find it useful and I can imagine it would be quick and easy to use."
Comments
by pedalpowaarr
Saturday, September 29 2012, 1:28AM
“from what I know and who I know, I am allowed to say that the smart ticketing process will eventually become widespread and also be used as a solution for fare paying customers as well.
there is a lot I can't say, however... but smart ticketing is here to stay.
Bruce,
Leicester Better Bus Campaign”
by moonage
Friday, September 28 2012, 9:36PM
“@ wwigwag - Only this morning, Scenario - Lady getting on bus, smartcard in 'wallet-thingy', driver 'come on love!! You had plenty of time to prepare your pass while you were waiting at the stop' Bet that machine had a right old tut as she got it wrong...”
by moonage
Friday, September 28 2012, 9:27PM
“Do we have to wait until 2014 for this to become widespread?
I travel to work, 5 days a week on 4 buses per day. If i get a weekly pass it costs £16.00. (and i am limited to one company only).If i want to have a choice, I have a daily charge of £5 for a flexi-ticket, which equates to £100 for 4 weeks travel. If the new 'smart card' system was fairly priced, i.e, if it was equal to the price of a weeks travel (£16), then i would welcome it. If i have bought a particular pass, it's s*ds law when it's late/raining/etc and guaranteed the bus you need comes after every other!! (no names, but you know who you are..those blinking green and yellow ones, the shooting stars of the highways - it's a rare sight if you are lucky enough to spot one!)...”
by Robert21a
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 5:21PM
“There is already a Flexi Day Ticket - costs £5 and is available on all buses in Leicester. It can be used on any operator's services.”
by Robert21a
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 5:17PM
“There is already a Flexi Day Ticket valid on all bus services in Leicester - cost £5. Available on all buses.”
by oldhenry
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 4:58PM
“I think if you means test the old persons concession you will find fewer use the service , me for one. Then you will find bus companies get less grants so will rapidly cut services and /or icrease fares. You cannot win with the system you know. So keep our cards and keep the buses.
I bet millions of pensioners do not even have a card let alone use it. Can you really imagine Alan Sugar getting on a bus and swiping his card? He could get his driver to do I suppose.
It is all a lot of hot air by Liberals who seemed obsessed in reducing all old peoples' living standards, more so than Cameron which is pretty hard going.”
by Graham_LE8
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 3:21PM
“@ 4_Stroke; It's happened to me too - You can simply 'report' the extra comments to the moderator, I usually put "inadvertent multiple posting' in the notes & the comments are removed shortly after...”
by 4_Stroke
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 3:05PM
“Hmmm. I think LM has got to get the site sorted out. It kept saying it had had incurred an error in posting then posted all the previous iterations. The author should at least have the option to delete where this happens.”
by wwigwag
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 2:46PM
“The elderly insist on putting the card in a wallet or purse that prevents speedy reading and does slow the service down.”
by 4_Stroke
Wednesday, September 26 2012, 2:04PM
“CGLee.. The problem with introducing means testing for retired folk is that you de-incentivise pension saving. You have worked, you have paid taxes and national insurance, you are entitled to it. If the Government goes down the route where your savings are taken off you where ever possible and those who have nothing get it all for free then why bother saving?”