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Bus card scheme gets go-ahead
Bus and train users in the north of the county will have their very own version of the Oyster Card after councillors approved funding plans.
From April, public transport users will be given cards which they can use to pay for bus and rail travel as well, as parking and leisure centre visits.
The 500,000 project will be similar to the Oyster Card scheme used by millions of commuters each day on the London Underground. Holders use their bank card or spare change to top-up the smartcard with credit, which can then be used to pay for travel.
Northamptonshire County Council members gave the scheme to install card readers on buses the go-ahead at their cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
The cards will initially be available to pensioners to allow quick access to buses but will eventually be rolled out to all residents. A reward scheme could also be introduced with goods and services available in exchange for points gained while using the card.
Although pensioners do not have to pay for bus trips, by swiping cards through a reader they will allow the bus company to collect data on the number of pensioners using the buses, and the operator will receive the correct subsidy.
A county council spokesman said: "The plan is for card holders to use them as payment, rather like the Oyster card in London, either by topping them up with credit or by paying a regular bill. We also hope to see the smartcard used for other services such as other public transport, libraries or leisure centres although this is still some way in the future.
"Benefits include quicker boarding and ensuring information collated by bus operators is accurate."
The cash to pay for the scheme has come from 12m of Government money.
Adam Rideout from bus operator Stagecoach said: "Smartcards have a chip in them and you can just swipe them past a reader on the way on to the bus instead of paying cash.
"You can top them up anywhere – at a machine, in a travel shop, over the telephone, online, or even on the bus itself.
Retired Frank Hale, from Irchester, said: "It can be a hassle for younger people to find the right change. I think anything that makes it easier and encourages people to use the bus has got to be a good thing."
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Weather for Kettering
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
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