READING BUSES is rolling out brand-new ticket machines across their entire fleet this week.
From Wednesday, December 10, new ticket machines will be put in place on buses route by route until completion on 14 December.
The company says that while the ticket machines will have very similar features to the existing ones, and all tickets and passes will work as normal, there are some slight differences that customers with bank cards, smartcards and concessionary passes will notice when getting on board.
The contactless area where you place cards will be in a new position at the top of the machine – clearly marked with the contactless icon.
Reading Buses say it works exactly the same as current systems, however: just tap the reader and wait for the beep and green light, but the speed of the new machines will be a lot faster.
Customers with a QR code on their ticket (for paper day tickets and mobile tickets) should place their ticket or phone with the QR code face-up on the bottom of the ticket machine as normal – the spot will be clearly marked with a barcode icon.
Adults who are travelling with a bank card don’t need to tell the driver their destination or collect a ticket, just say hello, tap on, and remember to tap off when they leave using an extra reader on the pole by the exit.
Robert Williams, Reading Buses Chief Executive Officer, said: “The ticket machine has become so central to so many aspects of our operation, including real time bus tracking data, making a change is not a simple task.
“All credit goes to our team and suppliers who have been working really hard behind the scenes to ensure that our customers and employees will see a seamless transition.”
“Our drivers have been really impressed with the easy interface and speed of the new machines. We are looking forward to using this as a base to deliver further innovations in the coming months.
“The great news for customers is that they shouldn’t see much of a change other than where they tap their contactless and smartcards, and the layout of their ticket.”
The new Transmach ticket machines have already been rolled out across Thames Valley Buses and will also be rolled out on Newbury & District from Monday, December 8.
