Nottingham Contactless’ new multi-operator tap-and-go option – available on Nottingham City Transport (NCT) buses (which serve Bulwell), NET trams and Linkbuses operated by CT4N – allows people to to type all day with contactless bank cards or phones and pay a daily fee capped at the best fare for their trip, regardless of which of the three operators they use or how many trips they make that day.
The City Council successfully applied for £2.7m from the Department for Transport’s National Productivity Fund (DfT) and Transforming Cities scheme to develop the technology.
Key benefits include hassle-free cashless checkout, no fumbling around for loose change or figuring out fares for each operator before travelling, fares limited to the best day trips across three major local operators, and faster boarding to make public transport even more attractive Possibility.
Passengers can continue to pay contactless for single journeys, or if they make multiple journeys on NCT, NET and Link buses, they will be charged £5.60 for the daily fare.
There have been three million taps since Nottingham introduced Contactless for single-operator journeys and this new additional multi-operator cap aims to encourage people to travel more easily and flexibly without worrying about how much they will be charged will or to decide which ticket they require advance payment.
The system was developed by INIT, a world leader in public transport technology with a UK office in Nottingham.
This phase of the new system’s development lays the groundwork for future rollout across the metropolitan area and to more operators.
The City Council is working with the DfT and regional partners including Transport for the West Midlands and Midlands Connect to integrate all operators including Trentbarton – which runs the buses in Hucknall – and train companies.
Coun Rosemary Healy, City Council’s Public Transport Portfolio Owner, said: “We have been working for a number of years on a multi-operator contactless and limited payment option to make using our wonderful public transport network so easy and hassle free. free as possible.
“It’s something we may have experienced in other great cities and I’m delighted that we’re now offering it to people who visit, live and work in Nottingham.
“The new system always offers passengers the best value for money and gives even more people an extra reason to choose our award-winning green public transport services. This, in turn, helps Nottingham continue to grow sustainably.”
NCT Strategic Projects Manager Nicola Tidy said: “Contactless payments have revolutionized the way people pay for travel on NCT buses and by expanding Nottingham Contactless, customers can benefit from Robin Hood fare caps when they travel and pay with NCT, NET and Linkbusses Traveling in Nottingham just got easier.”
NET Chief Operating Officer Andrew Conroy said: “Anything that makes travel more convenient is to be welcomed.
“With Nottingham Contactless, people don’t have to take change or worry about the fare.
“It helps people effortlessly make entire journeys across different transport companies.
For further information, click here.