INTEGRATED SMART TRAVEL INTRODUCED THROUGH PLUS BUS SCHEME
27 Jul 2018
- ScotRail, Stagecoach and Transport Scotland partner to introduce smart, multi-modal travel in nine locations across Scotland
- PlusBus day, weekly, monthly and 3 monthly tickets can now be stored on ScotRail Smartcards and StagecoachSmart cards.
Bus and rail operators have worked together to deliver smart, integrated travel in nine Scottish locations through the multi-modal PlusBus scheme.
Train operator ScotRail has worked with bus company Stagecoach and Transport Scotland to ensure that existing PlusBus tickets – which are valid on both bus and rail services – can now be stored on ScotRail Smartcards and StagecoachSmart cards.
The move is a step towards a fully integrated and digital transport network. Smart PlusBus day, weekly, monthly and 3 monthly tickets are currently available in areas where Stagecoach is a leading operator, including Aberdeen, Ayr, Dumfries, Dunfermline, Elgin, Inverness, Kilmarnock , Kirkcaldy and Perth.
The technology is expected to be introduced in further locations – including Edinburgh and Glasgow – in the future.
With PlusBus, passengers can conveniently purchase a bus add-on for their railway ticket – this can then be used for unlimited local bus travel around the area of the rail serviced town/city.
ScotRail Alliance Head of Retail Riz Wahid said:
“This is a really exciting step towards a fully integrated transport network in Scotland. We’re proud to be playing a part in helping customers switch to a simpler, more smart way of travelling.
“It has never been easier or more convenient to ditch paper tickets and use our Smartcard to travel.”
Stagecoach Scotland Managing Director Robert Andrew said:
"This is a positive step forward in making public transport more joined up and even easier to use. This development means that people in these areas can load their PlusBus ticket on to just one smartcard and use it to travel by both bus and train.
“We're delighted that our customers across the region can now benefit from more, great value, smart ticketing options and as an industry, we will continue to invest in smarter, and easier travel solutions."
