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The MCard is one of the largest travel smartcard schemes outside London

Posted: 23 June 2017 | Intelligent Transport | No comments yet

The number of journeys made using the travel smartcard MCard rose to 16.3 million in 2016 – which is a 20% increase.

The number of journeys made using the travel smartcard MCard rose to 16.3 million in 2016 – which is a 20% increase.

The MCard is one of the largest travel smartcard schemes outside London

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Chair Councillor Keith Wakefield has welcomed the huge impact of the north’s largest travel smartcard scheme, saying: “In 2016, the number of bus and train journeys made by fare-paying passengers using their MCard was 16.3 million, which is a 20% increase on the previous year. MCard is one of the largest travel smartcard schemes outside London’s Oyster card and it is making it easier for people to use local bus and train services, as well as helping to reduce delays as people search for cash and wait for change.

“This added convenience of MCards and the and value-for-money they offer is one of the ways West Yorkshire Combined Authority is improving the local transport network, which in turn underpins our local economy by connecting people with jobs and businesses with customers and suppliers.”  

Launched in 2014, MCards can be loaded with a range of multi-operator products such as weekly or monthly tickets and day-savers, designed to give passengers the best value for money when travelling. Pink cards don’t have a photograph, so families and friends can share it to make savings.

“We’re proud to run one of the largest SMART ticketing schemes outside of London,” added Richard Armitage, MCard Chairman. “We have one clear goal and that’s to offer passengers a joined-up transport experience across the region; our customers can access any bus or train in West Yorkshire with one SMART card – the MCard.

“The increase in SMART journeys is testimony to our customers wishing to access best value travel in an easy and convenient way. The trend is continuing too, in the first two months of 2017 there have already been over 2.25 million SMART journeys made.”

White Pay-As-You-Go MCards can be topped up in £5 increments, and young people with a blue Young Person’s Photocards or with a green 19-25 Student card can pay for weekly or monthly bus travel.