Multi-operator ticketing

Speech by Cllr Zoe Patrick delivered to County Council on Tue 1st Apr 2008

I don't believe that anyone can deny the benefits of this motion put before you today because this should ensure that public transport within Oxfordshire should have the capacity to improve, so not only helping the environment but giving us better value for money especially when considering how much this Council pays in bus subsidies. We also know that the budget for bus subsidies is being reduced so we really need to maximise benefits of public money going in to support this

Most of us are aware that with the tendering process, we are sometimes left with a number of different bus operators all working within a certain area or route, but making it difficult for passengers getting from one destination to another without changing buses. In the worse case scenario, it could potentially leave passengers stranded having purchased a particular return ticket only to discover that return ticket cannot be used and they have to buy another single ticket to get home. This actually discourages bus use because it can be an expensive business, especially for regular travellers.

Even more annoying is that those who wish to buy season tickets find that the cost is even more substantial when potentially one may need to buy 2 or even 3 separate sets of season tickets so that one isn't left stranded.

We should be making it easier for people to use public transport, whether it is trains or buses, and indeed we have another motion here today about rail services being improved, so surely it makes sense to work together on this. An even further benefit of multi-ticketing is that it can also eventually be incorporated into train travel, and make it even more of an encouragement for people to leave their cars at home.

We already have Plus Pass in the County which provides unlimited travel on any bus within Oxford City and Kidlington and this currently includes Stagecoach, Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel. These three bus companies are already operating in many other areas of the County, so all this motion is asking for is that we could expand this to other areas outside the city.

I am proposing that we set up a trial scheme which can thereby be promoted and monitored with the intention that the benefits of the scheme can eventually be extended to the remainder of the County in due course, and that the technology required to support the scheme can be fully investigated.

This multi-ticketing facility will be based on existing technology and I am not speaking about the systems which are on the buses - I am simply talking about day tickets! This motion doesn't need any new technology - it can simply be done with paper tickets using interalia arrangements. Nothing fancy, nothing new - just some political will to take it forward.

There are numerous examples, too many for me to list in detail today - but some simple 'googling' on the internet will bring members up to speed with a whole range of systems all over the country.

However, I would like to focus on the Explorer tickets in the South Coast, and example of which is the Solent Travel Card. This uses 5 different bus companies and operates in South Hampshire. The day ticket is sold by any of the bus companies and the principle is that it could take you from Portsmouth to Southampton. The cost is just £5.80 for any bus any route. Hampshire are promoting it and they are not involved with the transfer of money - they merely act as brokers for the scheme. What usually happens (and North Staffordshire is another case here) is that the council forms a voluntary partnership with local bus operators to give passengers the freedom to hop on and off buses using just one ticket. Regardless of the bus operator, bus route, time of travel or distance travelled within the boundary area of the scheme - the standard paper ticket is simply placed into a self-sealing pouch which is recognised by all operators. The local authority simply orders these wallets and leaflets to explain the system. Under the Local Transport Act of 2000, power can be given to local authorities to set up ticket schemes.

Buying the bus ticket is then even easier with simply selling them on every bus and in some areas this is even extended to convenience stores too, but obviously this is something which I am happy to be explored. However, the bottom line is that this in not a complicated system, the buses all keep the revenue and as long as the council agrees to it as the official 'sponsor' if you like, then the system can run itself.

As I have already said, there are many examples of systems which have been operating for years, so all I am asking for is to look at this and agree to take it forward. No big spend here, no advanced technology - just a simple paper ticket, a plastic wallet and just think of the knock on effects we could reap in our county. Increased bus patronage, contented passengers, better value for money, good partnership working, reduction in Oxfordshire's carbon footprint… I could go on, but with no further ado, please support this motion and let's create a better joined-up public transport system.

Related Link:

Press release on this.