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Merseytravel's smart
ticketing scheme hits next milestone with launch of Solo on Walrus
MERSEYTRAVEL'S smart ticketing scheme
hits its next milestone with popular pre-paid bus tickets set to go electronic
on the Walrus card from Monday, 7 September 2015.
Smart 1 week and 4 week adult Solos and 1 week young persons' Solos will
replace the current paper tickets from this date.
Available on Walrus cards from around 800 PayPoint outlets in and around Merseyside,
compared with just 50 retailers currently, these types of Solos will be much
more convenient to purchase.
In addition, users will no longer be required to provide photos, they can buy
1 or several Solos on the same Walrus card and the smart tickets will become
active only on 1st use, meaning they can buy them in advance without wasting
any travel days.
From 7 September 2015 there will be an added benefit for Saveaway users, with the
ability to buy tickets for use the same day or next day.
Saveaway, the off peak day ticket for buses, trains and ferries, was the 1st
ticket to go smart across Merseyside in March and with almost half a million
tickets sold by the beginning of August 2015. Merseytravel's smart ticketing scheme
is already the most active outside London based on Saveaway sales alone.
The launch of smart Solo now means that people can mix and match some of the
most popular smart Solo and Saveaway tickets, having them all on the Walrus card
at the same time.
If people don't yet have a Walrus card they can get one for free for an extended
period when purchasing a smart Saveaway or Solo.
People are encouraged to keep their cards and re-use them and indications are
that people are doing just that, with more than 60% of Saveaway purchases
currently on re-used cards.
The developments in Merseytravel's smart ticketing scheme complement those being
led by operators Stagecoach and Arriva, with some of their own products now
available smart, such as online or via mobile phones.
A strategy, being taken forward jointly by Merseytravel and operators, will seek
to transform the approach to tickets and ticket buying in the Liverpool City
Region. Recommendations will be set out later in 2015. The focus will be on
making the process more convenient and efficient for public transport users,
making the most of technology and simplifying the zoning system and price
structures where possible.
Meanwhile there are additional benefits for young users, with child Solos and
Saveaways amongst the products that will become young people's tickets valid up
to and including the age of 18 years old from 1 September 2015.
Merseyside is the 1st area to trail blaze an increase in age eligibility for
young people's tickets irrespective of whether they are in education or
training.
Said Cllr Liam Robinson, Chair of Merseytravel:-
"This is another step
forward in going 'smart.' 80% of public transport journeys are on
bus so it makes sense for our most popular bus tickets to go electronic, giving
people more choice on where to buy, cutting out the need to provide photos and
with the ability to mix and match tickets.
While our smart ticketing scheme is already the most active outside London, we
recognise we're only scratching the surface. As well as making our existing
products smart there's much work going on in parallel to ultimately transform
the way people buy tickets for travel.
Plans for an Oyster style scheme across the North will ultimately build on the
work that we and other City regions already have underway."
Further information on changes to the tickets and how to purchase them is
available on the Merseytravel
website.
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BTP helping cyclists at
Formby Station
WITH a spate of bikes being stolen from
Railway Stations taking place, the British Transport Police along with officers
from Merseyside Police, have been helping cyclists by performing a free marking
service. This was one of the teams at Formby Station, on Monday, 17 August 2015.
Local Restaurant Welcomes
Back Holidaymakers With Free Roast Dinner
A Southport restaurant is asking
holidaymakers to think of their 'local' as they're sunning themselves abroad by
sending a postcard back home to the family restaurant.
The team at Toby Carvery on Liverpool Road will thank people who send a postcard
from their travels to the restaurant with a free roast on their return to the
UK, so they can indulge in a classic British dish after sampling local food
abroad.
Alexandra Wheelton, general manager at Toby Carvery Ainsdale, said:-
"Holidays are a great time to relax and enjoy the sunshine but there's nothing
like coming back to home comforts like your own bed, a good cup of tea and a
roast dinner with all the trimmings; especially one that is cooked for you! As
people start travelling back to Southport, we want to extend that holiday
feeling and thank our loyal guests for thinking of us while abroad with a great
meal and service. Whether a traditional 'Wish You Were Here' postcard or a
digital photo postcard through apps like Touchnote, we can't wait to hear what
guests are up to on their holidays. In return, we'll welcome families back to
reality and ease the post holiday blues with a tasty carvery at the home of the
roast."
Southport locals who want to tuck into a free classic roast on their return
simply need to send a postcard which includes their email to Toby Carvery, PO
Box 11572, Birmingham, B15 1WR. The sender will then be sent a voucher redeem
their free Toby Carvery, complete with slow roasted beef, British turkey, honey
and mustard glazed gammon or apple, honey and cider glazed pork with crackling,
Yorkshire pudding and an unlimited selection of 10 steamed vegetables and
potatoes.
The best postcards will also be shared on Toby Carvery's social media channels:-
Twitter and
Facebook.
Toby Carvery believes there's only 1 way to do Great British Roast; and
that's properly. Food is always freshly prepared at Toby to satisfy your carvery
craving. You can choose from a selection of tender, slow cooked meats, 8
lots of veg, including crispy, ruffled roasties, and all the trimmings.
With over 160 locations across the UK and over 30 years' experience of laying on
a family sized feast, you can be sure that Toby Carvery is home of the roast.
T&C's:- Postcards must be received by Friday, 11 September 2015.... The free
meal must be redeemed by Saturday, 10 October 2015... No cash alternative. This
website and its owners are not responsible or liable for the offer. For
full details please visit:-
TobyCarvery.Co.UK.
Appeal following shots being fired at House in
Bootle MERSEYSIDE Police are
now investigating a firearms incident that has taken place in Bootle, at around
10.15pm, on Thursday, 20 August 2015. We are told officers responded to a call
said shots had been fired at an address on Rose Avenue. Officers attended and
found damage to a front downstairs window of a house consistent with a firearm
discharge. No one was injured during the incident. Crime Scene Investigators
have carried out forensic examinations at the scene and house to house enquiries
are still underway. High visibility patrols have been stepped up in the area.
Detective Inspector Mike Leyland, said:- "An investigation into the full
circumstances of the incident is ongoing. I would appeal to anyone who may have
seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area around Rose Avenue shortly before,
or after the incident, to contact us, information they have could be vital."
Anyone with information is urged to call MSOC officers on:- 0800 230 0600 or
Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111. |
