Smart ticketing confirmed for Plymouth bus network

Stagecoach South West has confirmed it is expanding its smart ticketing scheme to include the Plymouth network.

From Monday (23rd March), all adult Plymouth Megarider and Plymouth Megarider Plus tickets bought on board Stagecoach South West buses will be stored on StagecoachSmart cards. Drivers will issue customers with a smartcard, which will store their ticket electronically, instead of using a paper ticket.  The expanded smart ticketing scheme offers customers a more convenient, simple and greener approach to buying and using their bus ticket.

Stagecoach South West introduced smart ticketing in 2012. Until now, Plymouth network customers have only been able to obtain paper tickets on bus and online.

From 21st March, all customers purchasing a 1 week or 4 week adult Plymouth Megarider or Plymouth Megarider Plus ticket on the bus will have their ticket added to a smartcard, rather than printed on a paper ticket. Customers should then retain their smartcard when the ticket expires as the card can be used again and again to store additional tickets either by purchasing them on the bus (1 week or 4 week tickets) or online (4 week tickets only). Customers are required to place the card over the reader until the green light shows every time they travel. Helpfully, the expiry date is displayed on the screen as a reminder.

Customers loading travel on to their smartcard online also have access to Megarider Xtra tickets which allow them to pay for their travel through hassle-free automatic monthly payments.

Storing bus tickets on smartcards helps to speed up boarding times, save paper and provides additional security features for customers.

Once in receipt of their smartcard, customers are strongly advised to register their card online (www.stagecoachbus.com/login). By doing so, they have the added protection that if their card is stolen, lost or damaged they can contact a dedicated helpline, have the card blocked and have a  replacement issued.

Bob Dennison, Managing Director of Stagecoach South West, said: "I’m delighted to confirm that our Plymouth customers can now buy their local area Megariders on smartcards and I hope this will make travel even easier and more convenient.”

To plan their journey and find the best value Megarider customers should visit ww.stagecoachbus.com.