McGill’s, Scotland’s largest independent operator, is bringing back ‘The Clippy’ with the help of hand-held electronic ticket machines (ETMs) from Ticketer. Conductors are now operating on one of the company’s busiest commuter routes to reduce dwell times at bus stops.
The Ticketer hand-helds are being used by Conductors on Service 38, between Glasgow and Paisley, at the peak morning and evening rush hours. The aim is to speed up boarding times and allow passengers to pay at their seats.
Colin Napier, Head of Service Delivery for McGill’s comments: “Our Service 38 route runs every 6−8 minutes at peak times and every bus stop on the route is always busy with queueing passengers. It is therefore essential that we keep dwell times to a minimum so that the service runs to schedule. The introduction of the Conductors and the Ticketer hand-held ticket machines enable passengers to get straight on and find a seat before buying their ticket. Our older passengers in particular are enjoying the return of ‘the Clippy’.”
If the use of Conductors and hand-held ticket machines improves the journey times, McGill’s plans to look at introducing them on to other key routes into Glasgow.
John Clarfelt, Managing Director of Ticketer, comments: “We are delighted that our hand-helds are being used by the new Conductors at McGill’s. The technology has certainly moved on a lot since the days of the paper roll and punch ticket machines!”
McGill’s will be monitoring how the Conductors and their hand-held ETMs impact on journey times as well as the passenger experience. The company will be obtaining feedback from drivers, conductors and passengers with a view to extending the service to other routes.
For further information please contact:
Mercedes Llewellyn
mercedes.llewellyn@ticketer.co.uk