Published: Friday, 24th August 2018
Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet approved to introduce the Swift smart card travel scheme on bus services in the Cannock Chase District, at its meeting last night.
This investment is a result of the Council being a non-constituent member of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and Cannock Chase is the second area to receive this scheme. The Council will allocate £20,000 to fund the installation of the Swift card readers in key locations around the District. Arriva and National Express West Midlands buses are already equipped to accept Swift cards.
Swift is the largest smart card scheme in the UK (outside of London) and evidence indicates that the introduction of the Swift smart travel cards on bus services will encourage the use of services both in frequency and in patronage.
Councillor Gordon Alcott, Portfolio Leader for Economic Development and Planning said “Following meetings with Transport for the West Midlands (TfWM) and bus operators I am delighted that the Swift smart card scheme will be rolled out in the District. This service will provide better accessibility for residents to employment, leisure and cultural activities through fostering sustainable transport and could potentially reduce road traffic in the District.”
Residents will be able to purchase one and four week season tickets for Swift bus services through the website myswiftcard.com
They will also be able to purchase Swift pay-as-you-go (PAYG) credit which can be used on these services.
After purchasing through the website, customers can transfer their digital ticket onto their Swift card using an Android phone. If a customer does not have access to an Android phone they can transfer it using the Swift card reader.
Swift card readers are proposed to be installed in the following key locations; Cannock Bus Station, Hednesford Victoria Street bus stands, Rugeley Bus Station and Civic Centre, Cannock.