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Smart technology and integrated ticketing

The West of England Combined Authority has held longstanding aspirations to develop smarter payments and integrated ticketing. By removing barriers to public transport supports the wider goal to grow the market and reduce congestion.

The smart and integrated ticketing project underpins the regions approach to improving bus services. It also continues to deliver schemes and infrastructure that help give better priority for buses across our transport network.

Integrated ticketing

What we have done

  • Supported smaller bus operators to upgrade to contactless payments and barcode readers - to date over 90% of smaller operator vehicles have been upgraded
  • metrobus online and on bus/at iPoint collection of travelwest smartcard tickets that allow travel on any bus operator
  • Produce a detailed benchmarking study looking at the technical; commercial; and regulatory enablers
  • Joint trial of seat reservation systems in response to reduced bus capacity due to COVID-19
Integrated ticketing

What we plan to do

  • Work with operators to expand/improve tickets that allow travel on any bus operator and for journeys combining bus and rail in the area
  • Introduce Pay as You Go contactless travel on all buses with fares capped so residents are only charged the best fare
  • Work with operators to simplify and standardise fares and ticketing in the area – to offer flexibility and value for money

Interlinked projects

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Future Transport Zone

The Future Transport Zone will trialling Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS). This is expected to include the ability to:

  • plan journeys across multiple transport modes
  • pay for journeys across multiple transport modes in a single transaction
  • to explore monthly subscriptions for all mobility needs, and to
  • trial mobility credits to help jobseekers access employment opportunities.
Bus outside Old market Station
Bus strategy

The West of England bus strategy sets out the vision for bus services and how to meet the needs of the public, delivering a joined-up network and a doubling of bus passenger numbers by 2036.

Delivery of simplified ticketing to all bus users to travel on a single ticket is a key enabler of the strategy. It also focusses on maximising bus service reliability and better integration with other modes; increasing the appeal and ease of use of public transport.