BUS tickets across Somerset could be simplified in the coming months under a planned ‘Project Coral’ national roll-out.

‘Project Coral’ is a Government-funded initiative designed to allow ‘multi-operator ticketing’ across the country.

It means people can buy one ticket for use across multiple bus operators, rather than having to pay out for different tickets.

The project is being led by Transport for the West Midlands, with discussions currently taking place between Government Ministers and the ‘big five’ bus operators - Arriva, First Group, Go-Ahead, National Express, and Stagecoach to iron out ‘back office’ arrangements.

Somerset Council has now confirmed if the pilot proves successful, such a system could be rolled out across the county some time in the next 12 months.

Council transport planning manager Natasha Bates gave councillors an update on the project at a meeting of the authority’s bus advisory board.

Ms Bates said: “The project’s aim is to deliver a back office system to support the roll-out of multi-operator ticketing, so it facilitates the administration and division of revenue taken through the sale of multi-operator tickets.

“The Department for Transport (DfT) has been very clear that local authorities should not go ahead and sort out their own back office system.

Somerset Council is hoping a national scheme will be rolled out to allow bus travellers to buy one ticket for use with multiple different bus companies.
Somerset Council is hoping a national scheme will be rolled out to allow bus travellers to buy one ticket for use with multiple different bus companies. (Tindle News)

“The aim is for everybody to use this ‘Project Coral’ solution.

“The DfT is keen for all local authorities to embrace multi-operator ticketing.”

‘Project Coral’ is intended to deliver a unified, contactless, ‘tap on and tap off’ payment system for bus journeys across the UK.

Ms Bates said: “The tender process has been completed, and they are now in the process of signing a contract.

“They are hoping to announce the winning supplier soon.

“They will then start contacting local transport authorities to confirm commitment and commence the roll-out of the project.

“At this stage, we do not know what this might mean in terms of cost or work involved.

Bus journeys in Somerset could be simplified with one ticket covering multiple operators.
Bus journeys in Somerset could be simplified with one ticket covering multiple operators. (Buses of Somerset)

“In the meantime, we are working behind the scenes with Peninsula Transport and the other local transport authorities in the South West to get ourselves as ‘Project Coral-ready’ as we possibly can be.

“Through Peninsula Transport, we are undertaking an initial audit with our operators to establish their readiness for ‘Project Coral’.

“We will continue to provide updates as and when we know more.”

Peninsula Transport brings together councillors from Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Plymouth, and Torbay to lobby for better transport, including improved bus and rail services across county boundaries.

Somerset executive Cllr Richard Wilkins said he hoped the DfT would push forward with multi-operator ticketing as soon as humanly possible.

Cllr Wilkins said: “We will be working cross-border with operators, that is the whole idea.

“The Government is quite right about this, but I wish they would get on with it.”

A further update is expected to be given at the next meeting of the bus advisory board on Tuesday, June 23.

Somerset currently has about 13 different bus companies running services in the county which are subject to the £3 single fare price cap.