Then and Now: Bus Ticket Machine Technology

• Picture of old and new ticket machines
• Old Setright machine designed to be portable
• Ultra-modern Ticketer TK300 machines to be rolled out locally

A major local bus operator has celebrated the announcement of new and advanced ticketing technology, which is set to be introduced locally, by releasing a picture of a historic ticket machine from its archive.

Stagecoach East Midlands has released the picture of a Setright machine, which was once a well-known feature of transport across the region. The portable Setright used a number of dials and a handle to crank out paper tickets to local people.

Stagecoach, last week, announced that ultra-modern Ticketer TK300 machines will be rolled out across our region. These latest-generation ticket machines are computer-enabled and can store hundreds of routes across different Depots; they dispense tickets at the press of a button. They constantly keep track of where the bus is so that customers can see this information on the Stagecoach App.

They also include technology to ensure consistent pricing across the region. A built-in microphone and speakers can allow two-way communications between Bus Drivers and local Depots.

Matt Cranwell, Managing Director of Stagecoach East Midlands, said: “As we work to introduce these ultra-modern pieces of technology, it is important that we remember our heritage of such iconic items as the ticket machine, but also appreciate the modern technology which helps to get our loyal customers where they need to go as quicky and conveniently as possible.

“Having new machines that are faster, have improved connectivity and an intuitive digital pad for the drivers to help them process tickets more efficiently will all help to simplify and speed up the boarding process. Hopefully, in turn, this will help to maintain, and even improve, the excellent results that we already have for our buses being on time.

“The two-way communications, between drivers and the depot, will help our team to adapt more easily to challenges on the road, to provide the best possible service for our customers.”

-- To find out more about local bus routes and services, to buy before you board, and to track your local bus, you can download the Stagecoach Bus App from https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/national/stagecoachbusapp.

-ENDS-

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Notes to editors:

About Stagecoach
Founded in 1980, Stagecoach is the UK’s largest bus and coach operator, with a fleet of 8,400 vehicles connecting over 100 major towns and cities across England, Scotland, and Wales.

With 25,000 people in our team, we’re deeply rooted in the communities we serve. We know how important it is to stay connected to the people and places that matter – and we’re proud to play our part in helping make everyday journey simpler, greener and more reliable.

It’s all part of our promise: we’ve got you.

We work closely with partners to support greener, smarter, and more inclusive transport – helping reduce congestion, cut emissions and boost local economies. Nearly 10% of our 8,400-strong fleet is now electric, and that number continues to grow as we invest in cleaner, more sustainable travel.

As part of our sustainability strategy, we’ve committed to supporting local communities by donating up to 0.5% of profit before tax each year to charitable causes across the UK.