Buses of the future

Imagine this. You jump on a bus and rather than rifling around for the fare, you simply use the vehicle’s fingerprint recognition system and head straight for a seat.

It might sound like something out of a James Bond film, but this is the way that nearly a third of passengers want to travel in the future, according to a survey carried out by First.

The local bus operator carried out the research to find out how its passengers think technology could change the way people travel in the future, as part of its link up with the Videogame Nation exhibition at Urbis in Manchester.

Claire Johnson, commercial director for First Manchester, said: “Our partnership with the Urbis exhibition has proved very popular and the survey was a fun way of getting our customers to tell us what their dream bus would look like.

“We work hard to get to know our passengers and listen to their views so we can continue to improve our services and make their journey as comfortable as possible.”

And Ms Johnson admitted that the concept of cashless buses may not be far off, with a number of pre-paid tickets already on offer.

Following the survey, First will also be implementing an electronic system for concessionary pass holders from Monday which means they’ll no longer be issued a paper ticket. Drivers will instead record the use of a concessionary pass on the ticket machine.

Ms Johnson added: “Our new improved system will help to speed up boarding times, reduce litter on our vehicles and help us to be greener through the reduction in the number of ticket rolls we use.”