Essex-based NIBS Buses has become the latest local operator to partner with smart ticketing provider, TransMach, for the installation of fully contactless travel on its scheduled routes and private school services, covering Basildon, Billericay, Wickford, and south west Essex.
Following a three month trial of TransMach’s onboard TM500 machine, NIBS has rolled out the units across its entire fleet of 34 vehicles with technical support from TransMach. The upgrade has enabled the operator to manage BODS submissions seamlessly, including generating timetables and fare information from one system. Utilising built-in GPS tracking, TransMach’s package also enables an online interface, so that passengers can track their bus service in real time.
In addition to the retro-fitment of its onboard system, which allows passengers to use any contactless debit or credit card or smartphone payment app when boarding, TransMach is developing a bespoke online school portal for NIBS. This will allow parents to purchase travel smartcards for their children, which will not only improve customer convenience but will also reduce operator costs by removing the handling of cash payments.
Recognising the need for flexibility, the portal will enable users to book single tickets ad-hoc, a carnet package of journeys, or a whole term’s worth of school bus travel. There’s also an automatic payment facility, so that any booking interruptions are avoided, as well as a seat management function, to ensure that services are never over-booked.
Bill Hiron, Managing Director of Stephensons of Essex, which owns NIBS Buses, said:
“We were impressed with the trials we carried out using TransMach’s onboard contactless machines. They accommodated all our requests in record time and have shown great flexibility. It is nice to support other SMEs and our business was very happy to place this important order with TransMach.”
Commenting on the new partnership with NIBS, TransMach’s Director, Minesh Vandra, said:
“Our mission is to enable 100% contactless travel for public and private transport operators, which delivers value for money, that’s backed up by an expert and friendly technical support team. TransMach is delighted to welcome NIBS to its growing network of customers, who benefit from our personal touch and bespoke approach to every project. We believe that a large number of small to medium-sized operators are still using early generation ticketing machines, so we remain focused on helping these businesses to upgrade to a fully contactless ticketing solution, which is far more cost effective and convenient.”
Equipped with an LCD touchscreen and high-speed contactless reader, TransMach’s TM500 features a 4G data connection, running on Android, enabling boarding data to be logged through the company’s own cloud-based management system. Concession fare reports are produced automatically, thereby reducing operator administration and generating faster electronic reimbursement from local authorities. The TM500 is supplied with TransMach’s mobile App, which provides bus tracking, revenue and passenger load data, plus driver messaging functionality.
Established in 2011, TransMach is a leading contactless ticketing and travel software supplier to more than 300 public transport operators across the UK and Europe, covering mainstream bus services, inter-town coach and tram operations, as well as commuter, school and demand-responsive services.
TransMach offers cost-efficient, ITSO, QR, EMV and BODS compliant, contactless ticketing solutions, which include its latest TM500 On-bus and TM920 mobile ticket machines. Its unique Bus Tracker utilises the company’s 4G Android ticket machines to pin-point a bus’s precise location via GPS, making it the most accurate in the industry. TransMach supports customers with a cloud-based back-office system, online ticket booking engine, as well as the development of bespoke smartcards and mobile ticket Apps. It also offers customers a full range of ticketing consumables and a machine repair service.
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