Member Article

Contactless bus ticketing increases patronage by 10%

Yorkshire-based bus operator, Hulleys of Baslow, has recorded a 10% increase in passenger journeys in under a year since upgrading to the latest contactless on-bus payment system from cloud-based ticketing specialist, TransMach.

Celebrating its centenary in 2021, Hulleys deployed TransMach’s cloud-based payment terminal technology across its 25-strong bus fleet in July 2020, which serves scheduled routes across the Peak District and South Yorkshire. The system enables passengers to pay with a contactless card or smartphone and also scans smartcard passes from all providers for easy cross-border checking, as well as instantly validating QR-coded tickets.

TransMach’s solution has also enabled Hulleys to provide passengers with real-time vehicle location information through its use of an optional Bus Open Data Service (BODS) compatible SIRI data feed and GPS tracking. Fully integrated into the onboard terminal, the SIRI feed allows the operator to update passengers with real-time service information.

Alf Crofts, Hulleys of Baslow’s Managing Director, commented: “As an existing supplier to our business, TransMach was the natural choice for our upgrade to contactless ticketing, based on our existing relationship and the customer-friendly support we receive. Contactless has helped Hulleys to increase passenger numbers and convenience, especially in the current climate where people prefer not to handle cash. It took minutes to train our drivers on how to use the TM500 terminal, while the back-office system allows new routes to be added and schedule changes to be made with just a few mouse clicks.”

Minesh Vandra, TransMach’s Director, said:

“As an existing customer, we are delighted that Hulleys has chosen TransMach contactless technology and our cloud-based fares management system. The benefits of contactless are clearly demonstrated by Hulleys, with a ten per cent uplift in patronage, increased convenience for passengers and drivers and fully connected ticketing software, enabling TransMach to offer the fastest scanning system on the market. Around 90 per cent of small to medium-sized operators are still using early generation ticketing machines and we are focused on helping these businesses to upgrade cost effectively to the latest technology. Our bespoke ticketing solutions are also designed to be compliant with the terms and conditions for the Department for Transport’s COVID-19 Bus Services Support Grant (CBSSG) restart funding, as well as other Smart Grants from local authorities.”

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