New ticket options on bus routes

HALTON bus passengers can now buy saver tickets on their Walrus card on the bus.

Merseytravel said the changes are the result of the Bus Alliance joint project between itself, Arriva and Stagecouch.

Arriva’s Merseyside adult and young person’s weekly saver tickets and Stagecoach’s adult and young person’s seven-day Merseyside Megarider plus tickets are now available to buy and renew on a Walrus Card on the bus.

There is no change to prices or validity and Walrus cards are reusable and allow customers to simply top it up on the bus when they need to.

Merseytravel said the move is part of a drive for more tickets on ‘ smart platforms’.

Customers have been asked to retain their Walrus card for future use, especially as there is a plan for an activation fee on cards issued in the near future and after.

On the same day, Merseytravel has also launched an adult oneday solo bus ticket, available to buy on buses and with the freedom to travel on any bus at any time on one ticket for £4.70, valid through peak times.

Arriva day saver tickets for £4.30 and Stagecoach dayrider tickets for £4 are unchanged and will remain accepted by either operator on Quality Bus Network journeys.

Smart card and multioperator ticketing are the key focus of the Bus Alliance a formal agreement between Merseytravel, Arriva and Stagecoach, who together operate 90% of the commercial bus services in the Liverpool City Region.

Merseytravel said 80% of public transport jour- neys in the LCR are made by bus.

Liam Robinson, Merseytravel committee chairmanm, said: “The Bus Alliance is transforming the approach to tickets and ticket buying to make the process more convenient and efficient for customers by making the most of technology and offering new products.

“The new adult one day solo is an example of how we are improving the customer offer to help make bus a mode of choice rather than last resort.

“This ticket could benefit those who don’t travel regularly or have different working patterns including part time workers, students and leisure travellers. Some of these bus users may be spending unnecessarily, on a weekly ticket or a season ticket or in a single day, or may have had to buy a number of different bus tickets across different services.”