Aberdeen

Farecard makes way for new 'smart' travelcard

Bus operator First in Aberdeen is withdrawing all Farecard machines from its fleet next month as the company continues to phase in the latest ticketing technology.

Farecard machines will be removed from all remaining buses in the city from Monday 5 October in order to allow for the roll-out of the new 'smartcard' Travelcard, which is already available for use on some services.

The new Travelcard works in conjunction with Almex ticket machines, which are installed on around a quarter of First's buses in the city, and will be rolled-out across the fleet.

As a result, all Farecard readers will be removed and any outstanding value on Farecards will be fully refunded at the First Travel Centre at 47 Union Street.

Joe Mackie, Commercial Director for First in Aberdeen, said: "This is very much a case of removing the old so that we can come in with the new over the coming weeks, ensuring that - eventually - all our passengers will have access to the smartcard technology delivered through our new ticketing machines.

"We know that some of our passengers are unlikely to use up the full remaining value of their Farecards by the cut-off date of Monday 5 October and full refunds will be available for any unused amounts on these cards.

"As the new ticket machines are installed across the remainder of our fleet, more and more passengers will then have the option to purchase the First Travelcard for use across our entire network."

The new 'smart' First Travelcard, which contains a microchip that is 'read' by the ticket machine is available in £10 and £20 denominations and can currently be used on the following First services in Aberdeen - 5, 14, 16/16A, 19, 20, 21, 23, 27 and Park and Ride (40). As Travelcards cannot be used on any other services at this time, cash fares must be paid by Travelcard holders.