WYCOMBE SMARTZONE SERVICE LAUNCHES U18 TICKETS

Wycombe Smartzone, created to make travel easier in the region, has now been expanded to include tickets for those aged under 18.

The joint bus ticket, developed with support from Buckinghamshire Council, allows passengers to buy day, week, four-week, or multiple trip tickets for use on both Arriva and Carousel bus services in the High Wycombe Urban Area.

Tickets on the Wycombe Smartzone are now available for passengers aged under-18, following the successful launch of the adult tickets earlier this year. Tickets can be purchased via top-up machines at the bus station, the app, or via contactless payment technology on-board buses. With new lockdown measures now in place the Wycombe Smartzone ticket will help school children and college pupils with their essential journeys during this period.

Wycombe Smartzone extends from Holmer Green in the north, to Wooburn and Bourne End in the east, to Handy Cross in the south and to West Wycombe in the West. It was launched in January to provide passengers with a choice on buying an operator specific ticket or one where customers can travel on routes operated by the two main bus companies serving the Wycombe area.

Phil Southall, Managing Director of Carousel Buses said: “This is the next step in the progression of the Wycombe Smartzone scheme which has proved to be popular among passengers. It has helped make buses more accessible and life easier for passengers and we are delighted to now launch children’s tickets.

“Schemes like the Wycombe Smartzone can help encourage more people to use buses and help reduce congestion and improve air quality. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners at Arriva and Buckinghamshire Council to further develop this exciting initiative.”

Wycombe Smartzone was originally launched in January 2020 after the bus companies’ set-up costs were match funded via a £124,000 top-up grant from Wycombe District Council. The partnership was brokered by Buckinghamshire County Council.

Simon Finnie, Area Managing Director of Arriva said “In these difficult times it is more important than ever that young people are able to use our bus networks to safely access education and employment. These new ’18 and under’ SmartZone tickets will allow children and young adults to make the most of the bus services operated by both Arriva and Carousel across High Wycombe, and enjoy the benefits already experienced by our adult customers since the first phase of the SmartZone scheme launched in January.”

Cllr David Martin, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Logistics said “It is really positive that Arriva and Carousel are able to expand the Smartzone scheme in this way now, despite the challenges we are all facing at the moment. I’m sure that the new app-based and contactless ticket options will be a big hit with young people needing to travel in and around High Wycombe.”

Both operators are currently running with reduced capacities to help maintain social distancing on-board all services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Enhanced cleaning regimes on all vehicles are being maintained and carefully monitored, with a continued greater focus on high-touch areas. Customers are also required to wear a face covering onboard, unless they are exempt.

Mr Southall added: “Public transport is one of the cleanest places to be during the coronavirus pandemic. Channel 4’s Dispatches checked surfaces for germs in locations across the country and concluded that trains and buses are among the most hygienic places used by members of the public.”

“‘Touch points’ such as handrails and seats were all found to have ‘no significant traces’ of microbes, with special measures to deep-clean and sanitise public transport deemed ‘very effective’.”