Merseytravel’s smart ticketing scheme has reached the major milestone of one million ticket sales in the space of 15 months.
First delivered by PayPoint and ACT in November 2014, a million tickets have now been sold on Walrus cards, Merseytravel’s ITSO smart ticketing scheme covering bus, rail and ferry travel.
Following a successful phased roll-out, Walrus cards can be picked up and loaded at around 800 PayPoint stores across Merseyside, including local stores, newsagents, supermarkets and forecourts, many of which operate extended opening hours for maximum convenience.
As a result of partnering with PayPoint, Merseytravel has increased the availability of its Solo and Saveaway tickets, with both available across the PayPoint network.
Lewis Alcraft, Commercial Director at PayPoint, said: “To reach one million ticket sales since launching the smart ticketing service 15 months ago is incredible.
“We are delighted to have been instrumental in delivering Merseytravel the latest smart ticketing solution and bringing seamless travel to the area.
“We continue to build on our success in the transport sector. Earlier this month we launched a multi-operator service across the Greater Manchester area which allows passengers to load smart cards at more than 1,300 PayPoint retailers in the region.”
Cllr Liam Robinson, Chairman of Merseytravel, added: “Walrus is now the most active smart ticketing scheme outside London, supported through the extensive PayPoint network.
“Our progress and achievements with Walrus to date will be built on this year and coming years.
“Working with operators, we will continue to broaden the ticket choice available, hand in hand with simplifying fare structures and zones to make it easier for people to tell whether the ticket they are buying is the best value for them.”
