GMPTE and Stagecoach are set to unveil Manchester's first on-street bus ticket machines tomorrow. The solar-powered machines, situated on Piccadilly, will be officially launched at a press event tomorrow where transport bosses will be trying them out.
On street ticketing, already used on many routes in central London, should speed up boarding times on busy routes such as the 192 (Manchester - Hazel Grove) as drivers won't have to deal with handling as much cash and issuing tickets. Let's hope use of the machines doesn't become compulsory or the buses will be slowed down just as much by drivers having to tell people to get back off and buy their ticket!
The machines are part of a 12 month trial. It's good to see experimentation with new ticketing systems and hopefully more operators will take up the idea in the future. We'll have more for you tomorrow.
[Image credit: Gene Hunt on Flickr]
Recent Comments