Coming Soon: Bedford Borough's Oyster Card!

In the coming months we will be introducing a 'smart card' ticketing system for the bus network across Bedford Borough. The system will work on a similar basis to the Oyster Card in London, allowing local residents to add credit to their smart card when it suits them, online for example, and simply scan it when they get on a local bus.

The aim of the scheme is to make using buses in the Borough an even more convenient and attractive prospect, and is line with our continued commitment to supporting a strong bus network, in contrast to the vast cuts to services seen elsewhere.

We have been successful in winning a grant of over £200,000 for implementation of the scheme from the Government, with this money also allowing a further ten 'real time' information displays at shelters on the most popular routes and discounted bus tickets for certain groups. So, in addition to our new Sunday and late evening services in Bedford and Kempston and continued support for a wide range of rural routes, these new innovations will help promote local buses as a convenient, viable option for work and leisure purposes.

The Council has already been working hard with the bus operators to bring forward the smart card system, and watch this space for more information on the details of the scheme and when it will be introduced.