Member Article

Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire launches mobile ticketing

Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire passengers will be able to instantly buy Dayrider tickets on their smartphones with the new Stagecoach Bus app, which launches mobile tickets on November 9th.

The new feature, which is launching just in time for the busy Christmas shopping season, will mean passenger’s will no longer need change for the bus as their phones can now be their Dayrider bus tickets - making catching the bus even easier.

The Stagecoach Bus app will allow people to instantly buy and use Dayrider tickets securely on their phones, plan their journeys and check when their bus will arrive. People can also follow their journeys - so they never need to worry about missing a stop again.

Tickets available to buy on the app will be adult Dayrider plus+ , the U19’s Dayrider plus+ and the family Dayrider plus+. All tickets will still be available to buy on the bus as normal, as well.

David Shurden, Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire’s commercial director, said: “This is more good news for our customers. As well as existing payment methods, we’re now offering people the chance to download their bus tickets straight to their smartphones, using technology to deliver greater convenience for our passengers.

“We know that time is precious to everyone, especially with Christmas just around the corner, so our app will help passengers to save time by giving them reliable and detailed information about bus services to help them plan their journeys accordingly.

“We are continuing to invest in new ways to make travel easier for our customers. This new facility allows customers to buy up to 10 day tickets in one transaction to use as required (within 3 months). Passengers can even buy tickets for friends and family if they are travelling together with all tickets on one phone.”

The new process will give customers added convenience and make it even easier for them to buy and use their bus tickets. Payments via the app can be made by PayPal, or via debit or credit card. The move provides an additional payment option for customers alongside existing smart ticketing and cash payments.

The Stagecoach Bus app was introduced earlier this year and is available free of charge for Apple and Android mobile phones, offering a number of journey planning tools for customers.

The app provides mobile ticketing and journey planning information on one app. It offers a simple journey planning tool which uses interactive maps, while the smartphone GPS system helps customers identify their nearest bus stop and the most suitable bus service for their journey requirements. Additional information including journey length and available fare options is also provided.

Passengers can access live running times via their smartphone to check the status of their journey with live tracking information before catching the bus.

In addition, the app enables customers to pinpoint their location during their journey, helping them determine where they are on the route at any one time, how far they are from their destination and when to get off the bus. This will be of particular benefit to people who don’t regularly use buses or people visiting a new location who’re unsure of the route the bus will take.

The Stagecoach Bus app is part of a major investment by the company in its digital strategy which is transforming the journey experience for customers. This investment has included the launch of a new stagecoachbus.com website as well as the introduction of real-time technology on all Stagecoach buses. Stagecoach Group recently also announced plans to deliver contactless payments on all of its vehicles in the UK by the end of 2018. Stagecoach Merseyside and South Lancashire has also invested £26.3 million invested in new vehicles over the last five years.

Follow the company online at stagecoachbus.com or on Twitter at @StagecoachMCSL for more information and company updates

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Violet Brown .