Newport bus-users can pay by smartcard (From South Wales Argus)

Newport bus-users can pay by smartcard

2:20pm Saturday 11th August 2012 in Gwent news

A NEW way of catching the bus will be unveiled in Newport next week.

Newport Bus launches Freedom, it new pay-as-you-go smartcard. Freedom is a free, plastic smartcard that people can use instead of paper tickets on Newport Bus' services. Card holders put credit on the card either when they're on the bus or at Newport Bus Station.

The card works by deducting the cost of the person's bus journey or ticket when it is placed on a Newport Bus ticket machine and can be used to buy any of the operator's on-bus products including City and City Day Plus tickets.

The card is free and available from Newport Bus' Travel Centre at Newport Bus Station or online at newportbus.co.uk.

Bus users just add credit to the card as and when they need to, like London's Oyster card.

Scott Pearson, Managing Director of Newport Transport, said:"This is another landmark step by Newport Bus to provide the people of Newport with flexible and convenient ways of using their local bus services."