Smart cards to be launched by Brighton and Hove Bus Company (From The Argus)
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Smart cards to be launched by Brighton and Hove Bus Company
5:00pm Thursday 15th July 2010 in
Smart cards for bus passengers will soon be introduced in Brighton and Hove.
Roger French, managing director of Brighton and Hove Bus Company, which operates the vast majority of routes in the city, told The Argus he hopes to start installing system in early next year.
He is working with rail operator Southern to make sure the cards can be used both on bus and rail services.
The entire process is expected to take between 12 and 18 months to complete.
The system will be similar to Oyster cards used in London but will be based on new technology being developed by the Department for Transport that will eventually be rolled out nationwide.
Mr French warned the introduction of the cards may be delayed as a result.
He said: “This is not something that we can get off the shelf. There is a lot of work to be done making sure that the technology is what customers expect.”
Plans to introduce smart cards on Brighton buses were unveiled several years ago but postponed while the franchise to run the city's mainline rail route to the capital was put out for tender.
Southern re-secured the franchise last year and as a result is committed to introducing smart cards by the end of January 2012.
Mr French announced his smart card plans while thanking passengers for placing his company first in a user satisfaction survey conducted across the whole of England.
Brighton and Hove Buses had an approval rate of 92%, higher than any other bus operator, the majority of which scored about 80%.
Mr French put his success down to “happy smiling drivers” as well as three other main factors.
He said: “Firstly people like our frequency of services. More than 80% of our routes have buses that arrive every five to ten minutes during peak times.
“Secondly they like our simple fair system and saver tickets are becoming hugely popular. About 85% of passengers use a one-day or weekly saver, with more and more buying online where prices are even cheaper.
“The third thing is the real-time displays at out bus stops and that the same information is available on iPhone apps and online.”
Mr French said he hoped to increase passenger satisfaction even further in September with the introduction of bendy buses to the 25 route between the universities and city centre, which can hold more passengers than double deckers.
Comments(47)
Mr Pickwick
says...
5:25pm Thu 15 Jul 10
dixie normous
says...
5:38pm Thu 15 Jul 10
fab5482
says...
6:23pm Thu 15 Jul 10
den2il
says...
6:47pm Thu 15 Jul 10
Cass
says...
7:14pm Thu 15 Jul 10
Forget his opinion of the three other factors, he got the first one wrong. Happy smiling drivers, my ****!
davyboy
says...
7:25pm Thu 15 Jul 10
dixie normous wrote:no, just smart customers, wise guy. we already use this system in oxford, and have done for 2-3 years, very successfully. customers find it so easy to buy and top up. we are about to go to the next stage, with the new generation of cards, which will be the ones you will be getting. don't keep knocking the drivers, most of them are pretty intelligent. have you the ability to drive a big vehicle? if so, well done. if not, don't knock those that can!!!
smart cards? you want to get some smart drivers Frenchie boy.
The Brighton Bear
says...
8:50pm Thu 15 Jul 10
fab5482
says...
9:01pm Thu 15 Jul 10
davyboy wrote:Thanks for explaining "Smart Cards" davyboy. Let's hope it works just as well here.
dixie normous wrote:no, just smart customers, wise guy. we already use this system in oxford, and have done for 2-3 years, very successfully. customers find it so easy to buy and top up. we are about to go to the next stage, with the new generation of cards, which will be the ones you will be getting. don't keep knocking the drivers, most of them are pretty intelligent. have you the ability to drive a big vehicle? if so, well done. if not, don't knock those that can!!!
smart cards? you want to get some smart drivers Frenchie boy.
kayotic
says...
9:05pm Thu 15 Jul 10
dixie normous
says...
9:34pm Thu 15 Jul 10
davyboy wrote:two things to clear up, yes i do drive a large vehicle, and as for the drivers, intelligent they maybe, i dont doubt that, i was merely referring to their manners whilst driving, wise guy, ok.
dixie normous wrote: smart cards? you want to get some smart drivers Frenchie boy.no, just smart customers, wise guy. we already use this system in oxford, and have done for 2-3 years, very successfully. customers find it so easy to buy and top up. we are about to go to the next stage, with the new generation of cards, which will be the ones you will be getting. don't keep knocking the drivers, most of them are pretty intelligent. have you the ability to drive a big vehicle? if so, well done. if not, don't knock those that can!!!
Peter the Great
says...
9:35pm Thu 15 Jul 10
Metro Reader
says...
10:01pm Thu 15 Jul 10
ghost bus driver
says...
10:30pm Thu 15 Jul 10
Mr Pickwick wrote:B&H weren't allowed to refuse the bendies. They were imposed from head office.
Grief, another advert for Go Ahead. I have severe doubts about the bendy buses, having used them in London. The first squashed cyclist and... not to mention getting these monsters through yellow boxes. Using smart cards is, however, a very good idea. It would be even better if they could also be used as Oyster cards in London - one less bit of plastic to carry around.
I'm fairly sure the oyster system was a specially designed bit of software, but yeah I agree these ones ought to be compatible as that'd make everything a hell of a lot easier. My guess is the cards will be issued with a set amount of credit on it for a set amount. I'm not sure how much just yet. I think this will be the end of the Saver tickets as everyone will just touch their card onto the scanner and loading times will be much quicker instead of being an excuse to screw up the timetable and chuck it out of the window.
As for smiling happy drivers, I smiled at someone today. Does that help?
Stu
says...
12:19am Fri 16 Jul 10
Obviously they didn't ask passengers on the No.7 route how comfortable they thought the seats were...
Crunchie
says...
7:30am Fri 16 Jul 10
Ian Brewers
says...
8:03am Fri 16 Jul 10
Barry Trotter
says...
9:03am Fri 16 Jul 10
The driver that used his bus to force me, my bicycle, and my Hi-Vis jacket into the kerb last week may have smiled to himself.
hoveboy
says...
9:15am Fri 16 Jul 10
seagullsovergrimsby
says...
9:34am Fri 16 Jul 10
ghost bus driver
says...
10:41am Fri 16 Jul 10
Ian Brewers wrote:So do Touran van drivers
Never use the bus we got a touran van 2 ride around in but the drivers do ned 2 learn 2 use there indicators i agree
Maureen Marine
says...
10:48am Fri 16 Jul 10
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit
says...
11:24am Fri 16 Jul 10
Anyway I can't make a post completely praising Go Ahead. The fares are STILL to high, it still costs the best part of £8 for my wife and I to go from Fiveways to Churchill Square and back. Still cheaper and more convienient to drive.
ghost bus driver
says...
11:54am Fri 16 Jul 10
pekkers
says...
12:32pm Fri 16 Jul 10
disrember
says...
1:26pm Fri 16 Jul 10
Christophe Hawtree
says...
1:53pm Fri 16 Jul 10
When will the city bus service again be put out to tender?
It is certainly far too expensive. Visitors are amazed. It is much better to walk or cycle. And quicker. Who wants to spend a valuable chunk of life stuck in the Churchill Square logjam?
catmachine
says...
2:14pm Fri 16 Jul 10
kkj
says...
2:34pm Fri 16 Jul 10
Christophe Hawtree wrote:Put out to tender? Do you know something we don't?
That trite expression "rolled out" should be taken back to the depot and put on bricks. When will the city bus service again be put out to tender? It is certainly far too expensive. Visitors are amazed. It is much better to walk or cycle. And quicker. Who wants to spend a valuable chunk of life stuck in the Churchill Square logjam?
kkj
says...
2:59pm Fri 16 Jul 10
>
For those interested, here's the report:
>
http://www.passenger
focus.org.uk/news-an
d-publications/docum
ent-search/document.
asp?dsid=4173
>
Far from indicating a level of satisfaction with the bus company as a whole, the survey particpants were asked about their satisfaction with the journey just undertaken. Even I am more-or-less satisfied with a good number of the bus journeys I take, but that doesn't mean I'm satisfied with the level of service as a whole!
>
Additionally I note that Mr French has chosen not to highlight the report findings that only 58% of fare paying passengers are satisfied that they are getting value for money for the journey. (Nor has he indicated how this smart-card system will be paid for).
Quentin Delahunty
says...
3:55pm Fri 16 Jul 10
I have always been offended by "Oyster cards", being a vegan.
Qx
yorkie44
says...
4:00pm Fri 16 Jul 10
Murgatroyd
says...
5:25pm Fri 16 Jul 10
Has he ever been on one of his buses? His drivers are probably the most miserable bunch I've ever had the misfortune to encounter. I've been shouted at for having the audacity to be reading a book as i got on the bus; I've been shouted at on my bike for daring to comment when a bus nearly flattened me against some railings (I was in the bike lane at the time); I always make a point of saying thank you when I get off the bus and seldom get a response. And I'm a middle aged woman. God help me if I were a teenager!
Having said all that, I actually think the bus service itself is quite good
davyboy
says...
5:44pm Fri 16 Jul 10
dixie normous wrote:truce called. i will agree that some have poor manners whilst driving, and that hasn't changed from when i worked there. unfortunately, they are not taught that way, i believe it to be inbred! glad you are a professional driver, and you will understand some of the pressures they are under. no room for bad manners though. smart cards really are the way to go, as it does speed up boarding times, and the drivers carry less money around. not evryone will buy a card, mind you. there is no charge for the card itself, just pay for the product you want, ie weekly/monthly/yearl
davyboy wrote:two things to clear up, yes i do drive a large vehicle, and as for the drivers, intelligent they maybe, i dont doubt that, i was merely referring to their manners whilst driving, wise guy, ok.
dixie normous wrote: smart cards? you want to get some smart drivers Frenchie boy.no, just smart customers, wise guy. we already use this system in oxford, and have done for 2-3 years, very successfully. customers find it so easy to buy and top up. we are about to go to the next stage, with the new generation of cards, which will be the ones you will be getting. don't keep knocking the drivers, most of them are pretty intelligent. have you the ability to drive a big vehicle? if so, well done. if not, don't knock those that can!!!
y/ X number of single trips, certain routes only. you will also find that there will be introdutory offers, which are well worth having.
dixie normous
says...
8:15pm Fri 16 Jul 10
davyboy wrote:truce accepted, have a nice weekend.
dixie normous wrote:truce called. i will agree that some have poor manners whilst driving, and that hasn't changed from when i worked there. unfortunately, they are not taught that way, i believe it to be inbred! glad you are a professional driver, and you will understand some of the pressures they are under. no room for bad manners though. smart cards really are the way to go, as it does speed up boarding times, and the drivers carry less money around. not evryone will buy a card, mind you. there is no charge for the card itself, just pay for the product you want, ie weekly/monthly/yearl y/ X number of single trips, certain routes only. you will also find that there will be introdutory offers, which are well worth having.davyboy wrote:two things to clear up, yes i do drive a large vehicle, and as for the drivers, intelligent they maybe, i dont doubt that, i was merely referring to their manners whilst driving, wise guy, ok.dixie normous wrote: smart cards? you want to get some smart drivers Frenchie boy.no, just smart customers, wise guy. we already use this system in oxford, and have done for 2-3 years, very successfully. customers find it so easy to buy and top up. we are about to go to the next stage, with the new generation of cards, which will be the ones you will be getting. don't keep knocking the drivers, most of them are pretty intelligent. have you the ability to drive a big vehicle? if so, well done. if not, don't knock those that can!!!
davyboy
says...
9:38pm Fri 16 Jul 10
dixie normous wrote:thanks, and same to you.
davyboy wrote:truce accepted, have a nice weekend.
dixie normous wrote:truce called. i will agree that some have poor manners whilst driving, and that hasn't changed from when i worked there. unfortunately, they are not taught that way, i believe it to be inbred! glad you are a professional driver, and you will understand some of the pressures they are under. no room for bad manners though. smart cards really are the way to go, as it does speed up boarding times, and the drivers carry less money around. not evryone will buy a card, mind you. there is no charge for the card itself, just pay for the product you want, ie weekly/monthly/yearl y/ X number of single trips, certain routes only. you will also find that there will be introdutory offers, which are well worth having.davyboy wrote:two things to clear up, yes i do drive a large vehicle, and as for the drivers, intelligent they maybe, i dont doubt that, i was merely referring to their manners whilst driving, wise guy, ok.dixie normous wrote: smart cards? you want to get some smart drivers Frenchie boy.no, just smart customers, wise guy. we already use this system in oxford, and have done for 2-3 years, very successfully. customers find it so easy to buy and top up. we are about to go to the next stage, with the new generation of cards, which will be the ones you will be getting. don't keep knocking the drivers, most of them are pretty intelligent. have you the ability to drive a big vehicle? if so, well done. if not, don't knock those that can!!!
BB1975
says...
10:22pm Fri 16 Jul 10
Cunning Stunt
says...
2:52am Sat 17 Jul 10
davyboy wrote:Phew! Glad that is over....all we needed was a road rage between some brain dead bus driver and an opinionated trucker!....Still, all's well that ends well....now off you go and stuff your faces with bacon sandwiches boys!....
dixie normous wrote:thanks, and same to you.
davyboy wrote:truce accepted, have a nice weekend.
dixie normous wrote:truce called. i will agree that some have poor manners whilst driving, and that hasn't changed from when i worked there. unfortunately, they are not taught that way, i believe it to be inbred! glad you are a professional driver, and you will understand some of the pressures they are under. no room for bad manners though. smart cards really are the way to go, as it does speed up boarding times, and the drivers carry less money around. not evryone will buy a card, mind you. there is no charge for the card itself, just pay for the product you want, ie weekly/monthly/yearl y/ X number of single trips, certain routes only. you will also find that there will be introdutory offers, which are well worth having.davyboy wrote:two things to clear up, yes i do drive a large vehicle, and as for the drivers, intelligent they maybe, i dont doubt that, i was merely referring to their manners whilst driving, wise guy, ok.dixie normous wrote: smart cards? you want to get some smart drivers Frenchie boy.no, just smart customers, wise guy. we already use this system in oxford, and have done for 2-3 years, very successfully. customers find it so easy to buy and top up. we are about to go to the next stage, with the new generation of cards, which will be the ones you will be getting. don't keep knocking the drivers, most of them are pretty intelligent. have you the ability to drive a big vehicle? if so, well done. if not, don't knock those that can!!!
ghost bus driver
says...
7:16am Sat 17 Jul 10
Cunning Stunt wrote:Well, all we need now is a comment from a demented motorist, an idiot taxi driver and a problematic white van man (plenty of each to choose from) and it'll be bacon butties all round
davyboy wrote:Phew! Glad that is over....all we needed was a road rage between some brain dead bus driver and an opinionated trucker!....Still, all's well that ends well....now off you go and stuff your faces with bacon sandwiches boys!....
dixie normous wrote:thanks, and same to you.
davyboy wrote:truce accepted, have a nice weekend.
dixie normous wrote:truce called. i will agree that some have poor manners whilst driving, and that hasn't changed from when i worked there. unfortunately, they are not taught that way, i believe it to be inbred! glad you are a professional driver, and you will understand some of the pressures they are under. no room for bad manners though. smart cards really are the way to go, as it does speed up boarding times, and the drivers carry less money around. not evryone will buy a card, mind you. there is no charge for the card itself, just pay for the product you want, ie weekly/monthly/yearl y/ X number of single trips, certain routes only. you will also find that there will be introdutory offers, which are well worth having.davyboy wrote:two things to clear up, yes i do drive a large vehicle, and as for the drivers, intelligent they maybe, i dont doubt that, i was merely referring to their manners whilst driving, wise guy, ok.dixie normous wrote: smart cards? you want to get some smart drivers Frenchie boy.no, just smart customers, wise guy. we already use this system in oxford, and have done for 2-3 years, very successfully. customers find it so easy to buy and top up. we are about to go to the next stage, with the new generation of cards, which will be the ones you will be getting. don't keep knocking the drivers, most of them are pretty intelligent. have you the ability to drive a big vehicle? if so, well done. if not, don't knock those that can!!!
ArthurD
says...
7:43am Sat 17 Jul 10
Do you eat the cards, or just hate all animals and their names?
Cunning Stunt
says...
8:57pm Sat 17 Jul 10
ghost bus driver wrote:.....Agreed.....Or worse still, another re-post from one of the previous posters...So perpetuating the thread and angering the dense Bus Driver and the Stroppy Lorry Driver further...which, given their obvious work related obesity will push the cardio-vascular system through the proverbial roof of the cab
Cunning Stunt wrote:Well, all we need now is a comment from a demented motorist, an idiot taxi driver and a problematic white van man (plenty of each to choose from) and it'll be bacon butties all round
davyboy wrote:Phew! Glad that is over....all we needed was a road rage between some brain dead bus driver and an opinionated trucker!....Still, all's well that ends well....now off you go and stuff your faces with bacon sandwiches boys!....
dixie normous wrote:thanks, and same to you.
davyboy wrote:truce accepted, have a nice weekend.
dixie normous wrote:truce called. i will agree that some have poor manners whilst driving, and that hasn't changed from when i worked there. unfortunately, they are not taught that way, i believe it to be inbred! glad you are a professional driver, and you will understand some of the pressures they are under. no room for bad manners though. smart cards really are the way to go, as it does speed up boarding times, and the drivers carry less money around. not evryone will buy a card, mind you. there is no charge for the card itself, just pay for the product you want, ie weekly/monthly/yearl y/ X number of single trips, certain routes only. you will also find that there will be introdutory offers, which are well worth having.davyboy wrote:two things to clear up, yes i do drive a large vehicle, and as for the drivers, intelligent they maybe, i dont doubt that, i was merely referring to their manners whilst driving, wise guy, ok.dixie normous wrote: smart cards? you want to get some smart drivers Frenchie boy.no, just smart customers, wise guy. we already use this system in oxford, and have done for 2-3 years, very successfully. customers find it so easy to buy and top up. we are about to go to the next stage, with the new generation of cards, which will be the ones you will be getting. don't keep knocking the drivers, most of them are pretty intelligent. have you the ability to drive a big vehicle? if so, well done. if not, don't knock those that can!!!
ghost bus driver
says...
2:26pm Sun 18 Jul 10
Heh. Security word: lean-item. I think it concurs lol
Cunning Stunt
says...
4:09pm Sun 18 Jul 10
ghost bus driver wrote:At least then they could keep an eye on those Pesky Kids!.... And look out for those low bridges they keep hitting!
Ah but what if it's a double decker, it would just end up upstairs...
Heh. Security word: lean-item. I think it concurs lol
ghost bus driver
says...
4:33pm Sun 18 Jul 10
Cunning Stunt wrote:Indeed they could. And you'd get a better view out of the top window...
ghost bus driver wrote:At least then they could keep an eye on those Pesky Kids!.... And look out for those low bridges they keep hitting!
Ah but what if it's a double decker, it would just end up upstairs...
Heh. Security word: lean-item. I think it concurs lol
The engineering department know more about hitting bridges though. We still take the mick out of the bloke who hit that one in Southwick.
That bus now runs on the City Sightseeing. Although not low bridge spotting obviously.
Stagecoach Driver
says...
4:47pm Sun 18 Jul 10
PC mcgary no452
says...
10:17pm Sun 18 Jul 10
Cunning Stunt wrote:Oh this quoting thing is fun! -- said Roger French , Managing Director of The Brighton & Hovel Bus Company!
ghost bus driver wrote:.....Agreed.....Or worse still, another re-post from one of the previous posters...So perpetuating the thread and angering the dense Bus Driver and the Stroppy Lorry Driver further...which, given their obvious work related obesity will push the cardio-vascular system through the proverbial roof of the cabCunning Stunt wrote:Well, all we need now is a comment from a demented motorist, an idiot taxi driver and a problematic white van man (plenty of each to choose from) and it'll be bacon butties all rounddavyboy wrote:Phew! Glad that is over....all we needed was a road rage between some brain dead bus driver and an opinionated trucker!....Still, all's well that ends well....now off you go and stuff your faces with bacon sandwiches boys!....dixie normous wrote:thanks, and same to you.davyboy wrote:truce accepted, have a nice weekend.dixie normous wrote:truce called. i will agree that some have poor manners whilst driving, and that hasn't changed from when i worked there. unfortunately, they are not taught that way, i believe it to be inbred! glad you are a professional driver, and you will understand some of the pressures they are under. no room for bad manners though. smart cards really are the way to go, as it does speed up boarding times, and the drivers carry less money around. not evryone will buy a card, mind you. there is no charge for the card itself, just pay for the product you want, ie weekly/monthly/yearl y/ X number of single trips, certain routes only. you will also find that there will be introdutory offers, which are well worth having.davyboy wrote:two things to clear up, yes i do drive a large vehicle, and as for the drivers, intelligent they maybe, i dont doubt that, i was merely referring to their manners whilst driving, wise guy, ok.dixie normous wrote: smart cards? you want to get some smart drivers Frenchie boy.no, just smart customers, wise guy. we already use this system in oxford, and have done for 2-3 years, very successfully. customers find it so easy to buy and top up. we are about to go to the next stage, with the new generation of cards, which will be the ones you will be getting. don't keep knocking the drivers, most of them are pretty intelligent. have you the ability to drive a big vehicle? if so, well done. if not, don't knock those that can!!!
Cunning Stunt
says...
12:33am Mon 19 Jul 10
PC mcgary no452 wrote:Just don't call us thicko's right! As that would be...err rascist or sumffink .. eh Davyboy!
Cunning Stunt wrote:Oh this quoting thing is fun! -- said Roger French , Managing Director of The Brighton & Hovel Bus Company!
ghost bus driver wrote:.....Agreed.....Or worse still, another re-post from one of the previous posters...So perpetuating the thread and angering the dense Bus Driver and the Stroppy Lorry Driver further...which, given their obvious work related obesity will push the cardio-vascular system through the proverbial roof of the cabCunning Stunt wrote:Well, all we need now is a comment from a demented motorist, an idiot taxi driver and a problematic white van man (plenty of each to choose from) and it'll be bacon butties all rounddavyboy wrote:Phew! Glad that is over....all we needed was a road rage between some brain dead bus driver and an opinionated trucker!....Still, all's well that ends well....now off you go and stuff your faces with bacon sandwiches boys!....dixie normous wrote:thanks, and same to you.davyboy wrote:truce accepted, have a nice weekend.dixie normous wrote:truce called. i will agree that some have poor manners whilst driving, and that hasn't changed from when i worked there. unfortunately, they are not taught that way, i believe it to be inbred! glad you are a professional driver, and you will understand some of the pressures they are under. no room for bad manners though. smart cards really are the way to go, as it does speed up boarding times, and the drivers carry less money around. not evryone will buy a card, mind you. there is no charge for the card itself, just pay for the product you want, ie weekly/monthly/yearl y/ X number of single trips, certain routes only. you will also find that there will be introdutory offers, which are well worth having.davyboy wrote:two things to clear up, yes i do drive a large vehicle, and as for the drivers, intelligent they maybe, i dont doubt that, i was merely referring to their manners whilst driving, wise guy, ok.dixie normous wrote: smart cards? you want to get some smart drivers Frenchie boy.no, just smart customers, wise guy. we already use this system in oxford, and have done for 2-3 years, very successfully. customers find it so easy to buy and top up. we are about to go to the next stage, with the new generation of cards, which will be the ones you will be getting. don't keep knocking the drivers, most of them are pretty intelligent. have you the ability to drive a big vehicle? if so, well done. if not, don't knock those that can!!!
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chusan says...
5:15pm Thu 15 Jul 10