BLACKPOOL TRANSPORT
Coach and bus industry real-time information, fleet management and smart ticketing solutions provider Ticketer says it is proud to announce the successful upgrade of Blackpool Transport’s bus fleet to TK300 ETMs. The roll-out of 110 new machines across the fleet represents the next chapter in Blackpool Transport and Ticketer’s longstanding partnership, underpinning their ongoing shared ambition of providing efficient, accessible and attractive services for both Blackpool’s residents and over 16million annual visitors.
The TK300 is Ticketer’s latest ETM model and builds on the strengths of its predecessor with enhanced features and functionality. With an 8” Android tablet for the updated driver console, a new card reader which accepts all major payment types including Amex, plus fast boot-up times and quick payment processing to reduce dwell times, Ticketer says Blackpool Transport’s passengers and drivers alike can benefit from the improved usability.
“We are delighted to see Blackpool Transport upgrade to our latest ticket machines,” said Ticketer Chief Commercial and Operations Officer Adam Toone. “This rollout kicks off the next chapter in what’s been a longstanding, innovative partnership and we’re excited to see the positive impact that it will have for both their services and passengers.”
James Clough, Blackpool Transport’s Finance and Commercial Director, added: “The introduction of the latest Ticketer machines is part of our ongoing digital strategy to invest in our technology for the benefit of our colleagues and customers. We’re looking forward to benefitting from the enhanced features to increase productivity for our drivers and provide a better user experience, whilst maintaining a streamlined boarding experience for our customers.”
Adam concluded: “Many of our customers have upgraded and are benefiting from the TK300’s existing enhanced capabilities. Looking ahead, those on our latest ETM can also soon choose to enable our upcoming voice broadcast solution’s powerful features. It will not only facilitate more targeted, two-way communication between controllers and drivers, but also combat challenges many operators currently using traditional radio systems face; namely hardware and running costs, short frequency range and interference. It’s set to be a game changer for how our customers communicate.”
