TfGM signs contract for smart ticket machines ahead of bus franchising roll-out

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has announced it has signed a contract with Ticketer to provide new smart bus ticket machines across the city-region.

The electronic ticketing machines (ETMs) will support the delivery of the integrated Bee Network transport system across Greater Manchester. Machines will be first rolled out in Wigan, Bolton and parts of Salford and Bury when the first London-style franchised bus services come into operation in September.

ETMs, alongside pole-mounted readers, will allow users to pay via contactless cards to speed up boarding times and ensure passengers get the best price for their journeys.

Automatic vehicle location (AVL) equipment including improved GPS tracking will also be installed onboard buses, allowing TfGM to provide accurate up-to-date travel information for customers, including across digital journey planners and displays at bus stations and interchanges.

Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said:

“Ticketer’s on-bus ticketing services will provide a convenient and flexible way for customers to pay for journeys on buses with further integration planned that will connect up and simplify payment across all forms of public transport.

“It will also help us to provide enhanced accurate, real-time travel information, keeping people up to date and opening up access to more choices for journeys by public transport.”

Both the ETM and AVL systems will undergo rigorous testing ahead of 24th September, when Greater Manchester will run its first locally controlled bus services since deregulation in 1986. Franchised bus services will come to Stockport by the end of 2024.

Andreea Reardon, Group Chief Product & Technology Officer at Ticketer, said:

“We are committed to supporting TfGM improve the customer experience on buses, promoting a unified approach across the region with multiple payment methods and providing real-time information for passenger travel.”