Swift Card

[Stu]

Has anyone used one of these Signature smartcards yet?
http://networkwestmidlands.com/Signaturecard/signaturecard.aspx

I haven't myself yet, as I don't use those routes, but having used an Oyster card myself while travelling in London, I think they're a great idea and would work very well up here too.

At the moment I only use NXWM buses myself, as I buy a monthly Regional Faresaver by direct debit, and would have to pay extra cash to use other operators services.

But if the Smartcard could be set up in such a way, as Tony has suggested before, so you can still buy a monthly-pass, for unlimited travel on NXWM buses, but still be used to purchase tickets (at a discounted price) on other operators services also, then that might encourage me to make use of other services as well.

What are other people's thoughts and ideas?

[MW]

I'm sure I read somewhere on the Centro website that they're going to introduce the cards in the Dudley area next, but I may be mistaken.

[Tomjusttom]

I'm sure I read somewhere on the Centro website that they're going to introduce the cards in the Dudley area next, but I may be mistaken.

Yes as part of the improvements in Brierley hill:
http://www.centro.org.uk/nmsruntime/saveasdialog.aspx?lID=7711&sID=4284

[jrwxyz]

When is the Swift Card going to be released to the public? It keeps getting later and later. You could see the webpage about it on the Network West Midlands site a couple of months ago, but now nothing!

This would go towards helping cut fare dodgers on the buses, as there would be less people waving scruffy, old tickets in the drivers' faces and they would know who to call back.

[Discodave]

Soon hopefully not having a bag of cash of vault of money would be a lot safer to drivers and also a little less noisy due to rattling cash trays, vaults etc

[vinh1000]

http://www.networkwestmidlands.com/swiftcard/swiftcard.aspx

The new card only introduced a few days ago
Got one and it is OK but want to know what you think and whether it will work out in the WM region
Seems similar to the oyster card system with the introduction of being able to put nBus season tickets on in January

[PM]

Why arent NXWM accepting???

[TinnedPeaches]

Hmm so where I live there'd be no point in having it because none of those operators serve here. Please tell me the big operators are going to start using the system, or would that be dangerously joined-up thinking!

[vinh1000]

Hmm so where I live there'd be no point in having it because none of those operators serve here. Please tell me the big operators are going to start using the system, or would that be dangerously joined-up thinking!

Diamond, Central Buses, Travel Express, Sandwell Travel and Green Bus - shame NXWM i hope they use soon

[Stu]

I read in an article elsewhere that NXWM are looking to introduce their own smartcard, maybe why they're not joining the Swift scheme.

It does seem daft if this happens, as I'd rather just have one smartcard I could use on all buses, instead of having two. At the moment I only use NXWM buses regularly anyway, but it'd be nice to be able to have the option of using other buses, without having to find cash to buy a ticket.

[Stuharris 6360]

So what if you make multiple journey's in one day?

The Oyster Card in London will cap your fare so you never pay more than a One Day travelcard!

[vinh1000]

I read in an article elsewhere that NXWM are looking to introduce their own smartcard, maybe why they're not joining the Swift scheme.

It does seem daft if this happens, as I'd rather just have one smartcard I could use on all buses, instead of having two. At the moment I only use NXWM buses regularly anyway, but it'd be nice to be able to have the option of using other buses, without having to find cash to buy a ticket.

I agree
Cause trial Signature were successful Swift was introduced
There is no daily cap according to the terms and conditions leaflet

[Stu]

So what if you make multiple journey's in one day?

The Oyster Card in London will cap your fare so you never pay more than a One Day travelcard!

And that's what I like most about the Oyster card, you can just get on and off buses and tubes, regardless of the operator. However, London transport does run completely different to here in the West Midlands, as all routes are operated under contract to TfL.

Here in the West Midlands, I'd like an Oyster-style smartcard, that allowed me to load a 'monthly' ticket for NXWM (which I do now, by paying for my monthly pass by Direct Debit) but then load on money for 'pay-as-you-go' journeys with other bus operators. Is that too much to ask?  ::)

[vinh1000]

So what if you make multiple journey's in one day?

The Oyster Card in London will cap your fare so you never pay more than a One Day travelcard!

And that's what I like most about the Oyster card, you can just get on and off buses and tubes, regardless of the operator. However, London transport does run completely different to here in the West Midlands, as all routes are operated under contract to TfL.

Here in the West Midlands, I'd like an Oyster-style smartcard, that allowed me to load a 'monthly' ticket for NXWM (which I do now, by paying for my monthly pass by Direct Debit) but then load on money for 'pay-as-you-go' journeys with other bus operators. Is that too much to ask?  ::)

Nope
London Midland's smartcard already supports this oyster system as in you tap in and tap out of locations (allows breaks in between) as well as auto monthly load of tickets

[trident4370]

Dragging an old topic up here but have there been any developments yet with regards to an NXWM Smartcard, it has been ages now and I haven't heard or seen any mention of it.