RESIDENTS were snapping up the new Swift travel card when it was launched in Redditch last Saturday.
Staff from Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) were at the bus station handing out 100 of the new cards, all loaded with £5 of credit.
They were joined on the day by Councillor Bill Hartnett, the leader of Redditch Borough Council who has pushed for the town to get access to the card, which is already in use across the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
Bus users can now use the card on all Diamond and Johnsons services
They can be used as pay-as-you-go or as one- or four-week season tickets.
Although not a full constituent member of the WMCA, Redditch has non-constituent status and is a key town in the West Midlands travel-to-work area.
Coun Hartnett said: “We had a great reception with the local bus users quick to sign up for the pay-as-you-go card.
“The card is quick and easy to use can be topped up online or even on the bus.
“Longer term, I look forward to seeing Swift card being used on trains to and from Redditch which will be delivered as part of West Midlands Trains franchise commitments.”
Swift was launched in 2012 and now more than three million journeys a month are made on it. Fares are cheaper fares than with cash.
Customers in Redditch can buy their Diamond Bus or Johnsons Coaches season tickets or pay-as-you-go credit online before transferring this to their Swift card.
TfWM are also rolling out top-up availability through Payzone newsagents.
Matt Lewis, head of Swift for TfWM, said: “It was great to be in Redditch. I was delighted by the excitement we generated with the people there who seem really keen to start enjoying the benefits that Swift brings.”
