Oyster Style Card For Chesterfield?

[ironsky2]

In London they have a top up card for there Underground and buses services you simply top up at any pay point. This system helps speed up people boarding on buses and the driver just simply watchs as people get on board another plus point less chance of the driver been mugged or attacked as London buses don't carry money on board. I think its a good idea no paper tickets thrown about on the floor and saves the operator money it will take time for people to get used to it but its fairly simple to use.

[Fly]

Seen a similiar thing in Spain. All the locals get on the bus and ding their cards. Seems to work. 

[ironsky2]

Iv been to London and have used one I found it straight forward to use just got to remember to keep it topped up. I think you can scan the card or go online to see what balance you have on your card.

[Gerty Gumdrop]

Doesn't apply to old gits like me here in Derbyshire 

[ironsky2]

Doesn't apply to old gits like me here in Derbyshire 

Its the same idea as a Gold Card ( in there case they don't need to top up) you place it on the machine and sit down.

[Fly]

I answered 'Yes'. It must work out cheaper in the long run. I don't use buses :-( 

[therealjr]

You can also use the new contact debit cards on the same readers as the oysters. Best bit is that they cap your payments at the cheapest rate. So if say a day ticket Is £10 and you do 5 single journeys at £2 each they stop charging if you do a 6th journey.

[Templeton]

Stagecoach have rolled out smart cards for their Megarider tickets, which I top up on a monthly basis and scan when I board the bus. 

It would be nice for a more integrated approach to public transport ticketing locally (i.e. a ticket which could be used on other operators - TM / Hulleys - and on the trains)

[Scimitar]

Stagecoach have rolled out smart cards for their Megarider tickets, which I top up on a monthly basis and scan when I board the bus. 

It would be nice for a more integrated approach to public transport ticketing locally (i.e. a ticket which could be used on other operators - TM / Hulleys - and on the trains)

Templeton is correct, & these Smart cards are getting very popular. Plus you can top it up on the bus if you don't want to do it online. Many big city bus operators have similar systems, some still with cash payments, which go into a secure cash box that the driver has no access to. In other words correct fare - no change given!
That would solve the problem drivers face at 5 a.m. in the morning when someone wants a £1.70 fare and offers you a £20 note. We are not (Stagecoach) supplied with a cash tray full of change. It's the drivers own money (I keep about £5 - in mine - loose change). Some drivers carry no float at all, & issue change vouchers for those who can't give the exact fare. Strictly speaking, if a customer won't accept a change voucher we can refuse them travel - no more "free -riding" just because we have not got sufficient change.
I'm sure I remember buses in the 70's with an illuminated sign on the outside saying "exact fare please" or words to that effect.
What REALLY worries me at times is that drivers making their way back to the depot after their shift are usually carrying significant amounts of cash, and as such, could be easy targets for an attempted mugging.

[ironsky2]

Templeton is correct, & these Smart cards are getting very popular. Plus you can top it up on the bus if you don't want to do it online. Many big city bus operators have similar systems, some still with cash payments, which go into a secure cash box that the driver has no access to. In other words correct fare - no change given!
That would solve the problem drivers face at 5 a.m. in the morning when someone wants a £1.70 fare and offers you a £20 note. We are not (Stagecoach) supplied with a cash tray full of change. It's the drivers own money (I keep about £5 - in mine - loose change). Some drivers carry no float at all, & issue change vouchers for those who can't give the exact fare. Strictly speaking, if a customer won't accept a change voucher we can refuse them travel - no more "free -riding" just because we have not got sufficient change.
I'm sure I remember buses in the 70's with an illuminated sign on the outside saying "exact fare please" or words to that effect.
What REALLY worries me at times is that drivers making their way back to the depot after their shift are usually carrying significant amounts of cash, and as such, could be easy targets for an attempted mugging.

I think an oyster card would work better and would end the need for drivers carrying cash. No card no travel

[eabbus]

Nottingham buses had a coin slot approach with no change given in about 2000. That worked quite well, just tell the driver the destination put in the change to cover it and out pops the ticket. Obviously cards are easier now so long as people understand it, we are so behind many cities, Manchester is adopting the oyster style approach.

[emmz]

Having travelled around london back in august the Oyster cards made it a whole lot easier. Just scan at the terminal and away you go. Did not travel on the bus though but if it could be that easy would make it a lot better for passengers and Drivers,