Swift Card

[Jack]

"Around 6,000 young people whose paper travel cards are currently supplied through the TfWM and National Express West Midlands direct debit schemes will be issued Swift cards from August 27."

NX are still sending out paper child passes for September.

lol I have a child paper pass sent to me in the post. I'm not due to have the Swift card  for a while.

[2206]

I'm not due to have the Swift card  for a while.

TWFM have said it is supposed to move to swift from September, yet for some reason NX are still sending out paper passess for September and they've already been sent out.
https://www.wmca.org.uk/news/child-ticketing-gets-smart-with-move-on-to-swift/?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=SocialSignIn&utm_source=Facebook

[CL]

This move from paper to plastic is confusing me more than it should.

The prices in the WMCA article are different to those on Network West Midlands; where WMCA is showing prices from LAST term. Also, NWM's site seems to indicate that the season passes were available since 15th August. So, does the 27th August transfer to Swift only apply to the children on Direct Debit? ???

[Stu]

Last year, my Direct Debit Regional Faresaver was moved to Swift. I received a brand new Swift card in August which was ready to use straight away. However a few days later I received a paper ticket for September from NX Bus.

So it is probably normal that a 'final' paper ticket will be sent out, however once you receive your new Swift card, you don't have to wait to use it. The letter that accompanies the Swift card will explain everything, nothing to be confused about.

[CL]

Probably should've specified I buy the Term pass, which are only available in Travelshops only. Hence my confusion with the multiple dates outlined.

[Jack]

TWFM have said it is supposed to move to swift from September, yet for some reason NX are still sending out paper passess for September and they've already been sent out.
https://www.wmca.org.uk/news/child-ticketing-gets-smart-with-move-on-to-swift/?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=SocialSignIn&utm_source=Facebook

Well my paper pass has come ready for September. Not had a swift. NX must think I'm not special lol

[Stu]

Well my paper pass has come ready for September. Not had a swift. NX must think I'm not special lol

The article does state that Swift cards will start to be sent out from 27th August. You'll have likely received a 'final' paper ticket, just in case there is any delay in you receiving your new Swift card.

[GeminiFan1991]

I purchase 4 week passes from my local newsagent on a monthly basis. Will this still continue ?

[Stu]

I purchase 4 week passes from my local newsagent on a monthly basis. Will this still continue ?

For now, probably yes. However, there is nothing from stopping you registering for a Swift card and making the switch yourself. All paper tickets will be phased out eventually.

[DJ]

For now, probably yes. However, there is nothing from stopping you registering for a Swift card and making the switch yourself. All paper tickets will be phased out eventually.

I much prefer paper ones still, it's a lot faster boarding wise over scanning a Swift card.

[Jack]

I much prefer paper ones still, it's a lot faster boarding wise over scanning a Swift card.

Me too. Takes some people a decade for it scan. I prefer paper passes and tickets than scanning a Swift card.

[Stu]

I much prefer paper ones still, it's a lot faster boarding wise over scanning a Swift card.

Me too. Takes some people a decade for it scan. I prefer paper passes and tickets than scanning a Swift card.

Hence the investment in new ticket machines and card readers, the scanning process should be much quicker, and thus boarding times should be reduced. The scanning times aren't that bad at present, some machines do seem quicker than others. Some passengers could do with showing a little more patience at times, if I can be honest, including those with 'paper passes' (or crumpled 'dodgy daysavers') who push past cash paying customers as well as those scanning smartcards.

[2206]

Hence the investment in new ticket machines and card readers, the scanning process should be much quicker, and thus boarding times should be reduced. The scanning times aren't that bad at present, some machines do seem quicker than others. Some passengers could do with showing a little more patience at times, if I can be honest, including those with 'paper passes' (or crumpled 'dodgy daysavers') who push past cash paying customers as well as those scanning smartcards.

Are the tickets issued on these new ticket machines anything like First Kernows new ticket machines, where when a day or weekly ticket is issued, everytime you board the bus after that, you scan it the QR code at the bottom of the daysaver on the ticket machine and the ticket machine says, valid or invalid with the expiry date, that should put a stop to the people with crumpled dodgy out of date day savers @Stu? Its a good idea. edit - been told these new NX ticket machines don't have this feature.
Very quick boarding and scanning time on them as well.

Agreed though, at present the scanning times aren't that bad.

[Jack]

Hence the investment in new ticket machines and card readers, the scanning process should be much quicker, and thus boarding times should be reduced. The scanning times aren't that bad at present, some machines do seem quicker than others. Some passengers could do with showing a little more patience at times, if I can be honest, including those with 'paper passes' (or crumpled 'dodgy daysavers') who push past cash paying customers as well as those scanning smartcards.

I hope these new card readers won't break down as much as the current ones do. 7028's wasn't working this morning. People were showing their Swift cards to the driver.

[CL]

I much prefer paper ones still, it's a lot faster boarding wise over scanning a Swift card.

Me too. Takes some people a decade for it scan. I prefer paper passes and tickets than scanning a Swift card.

As do I. Paper tickets are much more convenient, imo - albeit not environmentally efficient. (Paper waste) - Hopefully the new ticket machines will sort out the problem with boarding time.

I find the current readers way too slow! It takes a toll on boarding time, as well; in the sense that the passenger gets impatient, and begins to "rub" their card onto the card reader, prolonging the time it takes to scan.

On a personal agenda, I wish those using the card readers board last, regardless of age (sorry). I know it's a silly/selfish thing to say, but I find (from my experience), they always block the doorway of the bus!