Transport Scotland introduce new ticket machines on Hebrides bus services

A new electronic ticket system for buses in the Western Isles will be introduced to main coaches from Monday the 15^th of February 2010.

In a new Government scheme all bus ticket machines on main coach services in Lewis and Harris are to be replaced with new electronic ticket machines, from which information can be downloaded; such as how many passengers were carried on each journey, how many were pensioners, where they got on and got off, and how many times a week a service was used.

These main coach services will cover Point, Stornoway, Back, Tolsta, North Lochs, Ness, Westside and Harris spinal route.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar are urging regular bus passengers who have National Entitlement Cards, also known as concessionary travel cards or bus passes, to make sure that their cards are valid.

If not, a replacement card should be ordered immediately by contacting the Comhairle.

The cards will be required to be placed on top of the ticket machine as you enter the bus to register the journey, and the machine will also check that the card is valid.

In the event that a card is invalid passengers will be offered the choice of payment of the fare or exchanging the invalid card for a temporary 7 day pass.

Young people between 16 and 18 in possession of a Young Scot card will be able to use these ticket machines when the card is presented to the bus driver and they will be entitled to receive a one third discount on the cost of an adult single fare.

Further information on obtaining the cards can be found at, www.cne-siar.gov.uk/commed/youngscot/index.asp .

The next phase will roll the scheme out to Uist and Barra where smaller hand held ticket machines will be used and also to other remaining local services in Lewis and Harris.  This stage is expected to be in operation by April 2010.

Chair of the Comhairle’s Transportation Committee Councillor Donald Manford said:

“I am pleased that this scheme is ready for introduction within the islands.

The new system makes best use of modern technology which will increase efficiency on the service we provide”.

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