Somerset buses could get one-ticket travel system under national Project Coral rollout
Government-backed plans for multi-operator ticketing could let passengers use a single tap-on, tap-off ticket across different bus companies in Somerset within the next year
Bus ticketing across Somerset could be greatly simplified in the coming months under a planned national roll-out of the ‘Project Coral’ scheme.
‘Project Coral’ is a government-funded initiative designed to allow “multi-operator ticketing” across the UK – allowing people to buy one ticket for use across multiple bus operators, rather than having to shell out for multiple different tickets.
The project is being led by Transport for the West Midlands, with discussions currently taking place between government ministers and the ‘big five’ bus operators (Arriva, First Group, Go-Ahead, National Express and Stagecoach) to iron out the “back office” arrangements.
Somerset Council has now confirmed, if the pilot proves successful, such a system could be rolled out across the south west sometime in the next 12 months.
Natasha Bates, the council’s service manager for transport planning, provided an update on the project when its bus advisory board met virtually on April 28.
She said: “The project’s aim is to deliver a back office system to support the roll-out of multi-operator ticketing – so it facilitates the administration and division of revenue taken through the sale of multi-operator tickets.
“The Department for Transport (DfT) has been very clear that local authorities shouldn’t go ahead and sort out their own back office system; the aim is for everyone to use this Project Coral solution.
“The DfT is keen for all local authorities to embrace multi-operator ticketing.”
Project Coral is intended to deliver a unified, contactless, ‘tap-on/ tap-off’ payment system for bus journeys across the UK.
Ms Bates continued: “The tender process has been completed, and they are now in the process of signing a contract. They are hoping to announce the winning supplier soon.
“They will then start contacting local transport authorities to confirm commitment and commence the roll-out of the project. At this stage, we don’t know what this might mean in terms of cost or work involved.
“In the meantime, we are working behind the scenes with Peninsula Transport and the other local transport authorities in the south west to get ourselves as ‘Project Coral-ready’ as we possibly can be.
“Through Peninsula Transport, we are undertaking an initial audit with our operators to establish their readiness for Project Coral.
“We will continue to provide updates as and when we know more.”
Peninsula Transport brings together councillors from Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay to lobby for better transport, including improved bus and rail services across county boundaries.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, said he hoped the DfT would push forward with multi-operator ticketing as soon as humanly possible.
Mr Wilkins (who represents the Curry Rivel and Langport division) said: “We will be working cross-border with operators – that’s the whole idea.
“The government is quite right about this, but I wish they’d get on with it.”
A further update is expected to be given at the bus advisory board’s next meeting on June 23.