Aberdeen

New Ticketing Technology Extended

Bus passengers in Aberdeen will have the chance to take part in the extension of new ticketing technology next week when Almex ticket machines are rolled-out to First in Aberdeens lime line (service 5 from Dubford to Balnagask).

Almex ticket machines, which are designed to make boarding a bus easier and faster for passengers, will be fitted to all vehicles operating on this route from Sunday 11 January following a successful trial on the number 40 park and ride service.

Fitted with smartcard technology, the machines work with microchip cards " like the concessionary travel cards " and allow passengers to simply swipe their cards before the machines automatically issue the ticket.

To ensure as many passengers as possible benefit from the new technology, existing farecards and farecard readers will be withdrawn on service 5 and a new ‘smart First Travelcard will be introduced, replacing the existing £5, £10 and £20 farecards.

The Travelcards are stored value cards, with a chip, that can be purchased in £10 and £20 denominations. When used, the value of the journey is deducted from the card and the remaining value is printed on the ticket issued by the driver. There is no time limit on using the card and it saves you having to look for change for your bus fare.

George Mair, Managing Director for First in Aberdeen, said: "The roll-out of the Almex machines to service five is the next step towards introducing these innovative machines throughout our entire fleet and passengers travelling on this route will have a pivotal role to play in trying the new technology first-hand.'

To make use of the new machines, passengers are required to put their concession card or Travelcard on to the new machine so that the chip can be ‘read and drivers will be ready to help and advise passengers with these changes.

"Passengers will be required to do something different when they board our buses', continued Mr Mair, "so its important that we gain valuable customer feedback by seeing the machines in action " the lime lines passengers will be vital to this process.

"To make sure we get the best information possible from our passengers, we are withdrawing the farecards from both service 5 and service 40 " cash refunds will be given for unused amounts " and asking passengers to purchase the new Travelcard, which is available from our Union Street travel centre and our King Street head office reception.

"Almex is an exciting new development for First and, with the help of our passengers, we can put it to the test and see how it can make a difference for them.'

First Travelcards will initially be available from the First Travel Centre at 47 Union Street and Firsts head office reception at 395 King Street. Holders of existing First farecards can obtain a cash refund for the amount remaining on the card from the First Travel Centre at 47 Union Street during January.

For further information on the new Almex machines, First Travelcards and First in Aberdeen services, call busline on 01224 650065, drop into the First Travel Centre at 47 Union Street or visit www.firstgroup.com.