Transdev-owned Keighley Bus Company has extended a touchless ticketing trial on one of its routes – The Shuttle, number 662 – until June.
The touchless ticketing technology, supplied by Sheffield-based firm Becotix and named ‘Beacon,’ began in February on the bus route. Almost 250 people signed up for the initial stage of the trial.
The technology allows passengers to use their smartphone as a bus ticket, through the Beacon app.
The Keighley Bus Company’s General Manager, Colin Booth, said: “Our customers can simply download the Beacon app to their mobile phones. When they take The Shuttle, Beacon works out the best available fare in an instant.
“It’s simple to use and saves time and money on every journey, and over 1,200 journeys have been made successfully using the groundbreaking ticket system since the trial began in February.
“We’re now looking for more volunteers to be among the first to try it in return for half-price travel on the route.”
All 16 buses on The Shuttle are named after famous space craft, including Apollo, Atlantis, Explorer, Galileo and Pioneer, and a £400,000 investment has been made in the service.
The refurbished 2005 Wrightbus Eclipse Volvo B7RLEs used on the route include USB charging points at every seat, free WiFi and leather seating.
