Ticketer has won a contract to supply smaller bus operators in Cornwall with contactless ticket machines.
The contract is facilitated through South West Smart Applications Limited (SWSAL) which produced the framework and managed the tender process for Cornwall Council.
Funding comes from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership's Growth Deal, to help smaller bus operators to offer contactless payments.
Operators can use the funding to obtain a new Ticketer ETM or to upgrade existing systems.
Ten operators have already signed up, including Age UK Cornwall, OTS and Williams Travel.
The St Ives Bus Company liked the Ticketer ETMs so much that they have already ordered additional units.
The introduction of contactless ticketing on all services in Cornwall is a key milestone in the delivery of the Council's One Public Transport System.
Says Cllr Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council Cabinet member for transport: “The Devolution Deal we agreed with the Government gave us a devolved budget of £126m and the control to shape transport services more effectively to the needs of our residents and to make journeys less fragmented.
“This is tangible evidence of what devolution helps deliver to the people of Cornwall.
“Contactless ticketing is a major aspect of the One Public Transport System for Cornwall project.
“By improving access to public transport we want to encourage more people to leave the car at home and jump on public transport. This in turn helps improve air quality, reduce congestion and ease parking issues.”
John Clarfelt, Managing Director of Ticketer, says: “It is really important to us that all our customers have the same opportunities to offer multiple payment options to passengers.
“We are delighted that, working with SWSAL and Cornwall Council, we are able to help these smaller operators to provide competitive bus services that improve the passenger experience.”
Ticketer’s ETMs suit any operator, regardless of fleet size, and Ticketer makes new software updates and technology developments available for the lifetime of the ETM, at no extra charge.
All the machines run identical software, with the same features available whether the operator has hundreds of units or just one. Ticketer ETMs can accept contactless EMV as well as mTickets, paper QR tickets, ITSO smartcards and cash, enabling operators to tailor payments to the preferences of their passengers.
