Smart Bus Tickets – Coach Industry News

Coach Industry News

A new multi-operator smart ticketing scheme was launched before christmas across the north east of England by Go North East, Arriva and Stagecoach. The scheme follows an earlier promise from all the major bus companies to introduce smart ticketing to major metropolitan areas across the UK by the end of this year.

SmartZone, the new multi-operator smart card, allows you to travel on buses operated by all three of the major bus companies in Sunderland, Newcastle and North Tyneside, providing unlimited travel for under £2 per day.

The new SmartZone products can be loaded onto either a StagecoachSmart Card, a Go North East Key Card and Arriva Connect Card and will be accept on any of these groups busses within the Smarten boundaries.

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Once a SmartZone card has been purchased, customers can catch the first bus that comes along and hold their card over the ticket reader when boarding the bus to record their journey. New tickets offer unlimited travel from £13.50 a week or £52 for 4 weeks in Sunderland, with other prices varying depending on your location.

In a joint statement, the managing directors of the three bus groups involved stated“Our buses are used by millions of people every year across the North East. Collectively we are investing millions of pounds in new digital technology to make it easier for people to use the bus. Smart ticketing, better information and easier ways to buy travel are at the heart of our strategy and support the government’s wider objectives to make buses better through effective partnership working.”