Passengers using Highland Council Buses should see quicker boarding and better journey information as new ticketing technology is introduced across the fleet.
Highland Council is installing Ticketer TK300 ticket machines across half of its existing ticket machine estate following a successful trial in July.
The new equipment will replace handheld devices currently used on the Council’s 12 service buses.
As well as processing tickets, the machines combine vehicle location technology and operational information within a single system.
The Council says better connectivity and a simpler interface should make the machines faster for drivers to operate and help passengers board more efficiently.
The investment follows a significant increase in passenger numbers since the introduction of the £2 single fare cap.
Councillor Ken Gowans, Chair of Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said:
“These are replacing hand-held devices in our 12 service buses and will make boarding speedier and more efficient for all our passengers.
“With improved built-in connectivity, these sturdy, reliable machines will also greatly assist our drivers.
“Since the £2 single fare bus cap came into operation, we have evidenced passenger numbers greatly increase and we are always looking at ways to improve our customer experience.
“The upgrade forms yet another part of The Highland Council’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality and reliability of its in-house bus services, which launched in January 2023.”
The Council is also expanding its use of Ticketer’s Schedule Adherence system, which uses live vehicle data to provide a clearer picture of how individual services are performing.
That should allow operators to monitor punctuality, identify recurring problems and make decisions based on what is happening across the network.
Passengers should benefit from more accurate live information through journey planning apps and displays at bus stops.
The technology is therefore intended to improve both the everyday experience of getting on a bus and the information available while passengers are waiting for one.
Adam Toone, Chief Operating Officer at Ticketer, said:
“Highland Council Buses’ decision to proceed just one week into the trial reflects the powerful capabilities of the Ticketer TK300.
“We are delighted to be building on our relationship as the team upgrades half of its ticket machine estate.
“By also making full use of Schedule Adherence, Highland Council Buses will gain clearer visibility of service performance to support informed operational decisions.
“We look forward to supporting the team through the upgrade and beyond.”
Highland Council launched its own bus services in January 2023 and has continued to develop the network since then.
Ticket machines may not be the most glamorous investment in public transport, but if they mean less time waiting to board and more accurate information about when the bus is coming, passengers should notice the difference.
