A new smartcard system is set to be introduced across Nottingham’s buses and trams in December, the Nottingham Post has reported.
Nottingham City Council claims the currently nameless system will make public transport cheaper and easier to use, with the cost of journeys capped.
Dave Thornhill, of Nottinghamshire Campaign for Better Transport, said: “People always quote the London Oyster card as the industry standard. It works, people enjoy it, it’s convenient and you don’t have to think which company you are using. This is a brilliant idea.”
The city council has been working on the project for around two years and all local transport operators are now on board.
From December 14, public transport users will be able to use the card on any buses or trams in ‘Greater Nottingham’ – an area covering the inner city and areas as far out as West Bridgford, Beeston, Carlton, Arnold and Clifton.
A spokeswoman for Nottingham City Transport said: “This is an exciting development. This product will offer a convenient and easy method of payment, whilst providing flexibility for passengers in terms of choice of operator.”
Lilian Greenwood, Labour MP for Nottingham South, said: “It’s excellent news that Nottingham has managed to achieve this. It will make us a more modern transport option and should encourage more people to use it. It’s welcome. Nottingham is leading the way with projects like this.”
Mark Spencer, Conservative MP for Sherwood, said: “Anything that makes using public transport easier and simpler means more people will use it and that’s great.
“Nottingham is becoming a more modern city. The tram is extending and starting to push out into lots of areas. We need to keep spreading that, particularly further north.”
