🎁 Coming soon: brand new ticket technology
🤔 What is it?
• We've invested in state-of-the-art 'Ticketer' equipment to make boarding easier, and to make tickets more secure.
• Starting on Sunday 2 December, we'll be running a two-week pilot on service 22 - coinciding with the launch of our Emerald buses (new technology on new buses).
• We've invested in state-of-the-art 'Ticketer' equipment to make boarding easier, and to make tickets more secure.
• Starting on Sunday 2 December, we'll be running a two-week pilot on service 22 - coinciding with the launch of our Emerald buses (new technology on new buses).
🎫 What does this mean?• Boarding will be quicker! Smart-cards will scan smoothly, and tickets will print faster too. Meaning you can grab your ticket and find a seat right away.
• Paper tickets will come with a QR code, which you just need to scan under the reader when you hop on the bus. Don't worry: the driver will keep you right.
🤷♂️ What about the old machines?
• Buses on every other route will continue to have old machines on board whilst the pilot runs on service 22.
• Tickets issued on these buses will of course be valid across our whole network, including service 22. If you have an old-style ticket, the only difference is that, instead of scanning your ticket, you'll just show it to the driver as normal. There will be no interruption to easy transfers.
• Buses on every other route will continue to have old machines on board whilst the pilot runs on service 22.
• Tickets issued on these buses will of course be valid across our whole network, including service 22. If you have an old-style ticket, the only difference is that, instead of scanning your ticket, you'll just show it to the driver as normal. There will be no interruption to easy transfers.
⏰ What next?
• We're going to use the pilot period as a live-test, after which we'll work out any outstanding issues.
• Following a successful pilot, we'll begin a roll-out across the entire Xplore Dundee fleet, so that all buses are upgraded.
• Don't worry: any old-style tickets issued just before the big switch-over will still be valid until the date of expiry.
• We're going to use the pilot period as a live-test, after which we'll work out any outstanding issues.
• Following a successful pilot, we'll begin a roll-out across the entire Xplore Dundee fleet, so that all buses are upgraded.
• Don't worry: any old-style tickets issued just before the big switch-over will still be valid until the date of expiry.
💳 Anything else?
• It's not quite ready yet ... but contactless is coming!
• We're launching these machines in order to get drivers and passengers acquainted with the new set-up, paving the way for bank card payments on-bus.
• It's not quite ready yet ... but contactless is coming!
• We're launching these machines in order to get drivers and passengers acquainted with the new set-up, paving the way for bank card payments on-bus.
Xplore Dundee’s new high-tech fleet of buses – complete with phone chargers, speedy wifi connections and extra legroom – could be on the road very soon.
The firm has shared new images of its “Emerald” fleet on social media.
Xplore said it will debut the buses on the 22 route – which runs from Ninewells to Craigowl via the Hilltown – before the end of the year.
The vehicles are being built by Falkirk firm Alexander Dennis and come equipped with all kinds of customer-friendly mod-cons.
These include USB charging ports for mobile phones, 4G-powered wifi connections and more legroom without sacrificing seats thanks to advances in manufacturing.
Managing director Christine McGlasson said: “We’re really delighted to be delivering this early Christmas present to our customers – the Emerald buses are due to hit Dundee’s streets at the beginning of December and will be the “jewel in the crown” of our fleet.
“We’re looking forward to fully unveiling them to the public – I’m sure passengers will really enjoy the quality and high-spec features of these new double deckers.”
The Emerald buses also have low-emission hybrid engines which combine a conventional 6.7 litre diesel powerplant with an electric motor. Its manufacturer claims it produces 37% lower CO2 emissions than a conventional bus, largely by using the electric motor to get the vehicle moving.
Dundee is one of several cities in Scotland aiming to introduce low emission zones in the near future.
The zones are expected to ban older, more polluting vehicles, and while the zone has not yet been formally approved, it is likely to include highly polluted streets such as the Seagate.
The city council already offers incentives to electric vehicle owners, while European funding secured 12 hydrogen buses for city fleets in March.