AnyBus smartcard en route to the Fylde Coast to allow seamless travel for all

The AnyBus smartcard will allow residents to buy one ticket and use it on most bus services within the Fylde Coast area run by multiple operators, making journeys seamless and hassle-free. The ticket covers Blackpool, Fleetwood, Thornton-Cleveleys, Poulton-le-Fylde and Lytham St Annes.

If you need to change buses to reach your destination, you can use the same ticket on the second leg, even if it's with a different operator.

Your AnyBus ticket will allow you to travel with one bus operator one way and use a different operator for your return journey.

Cllr Rupert Swarbrick, cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said:

"Your AnyBus smartcard is your ticket to easy travel in your local area.

"The great advantage of AnyBus is that, once you’ve registered and received your card, you only need to buy one ticket to start to enjoy flexible travel options across multiple operators.

"There is also an Under-19s Anybus Smartcard which allows the card holder to buy cheaper Under 19s Anybus tickets, making travel more affordable for young people.

"This complements the first AnyBus scheme launched in Preston and shows our commitment to rolling out multi-operator bus ticketing to areas across Lancashire."

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council cabinet member for economy and built environment, said:

"The Anybus smartcard provides a new way of travelling across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast.

"Having a multi-operator ticket allows customers greater flexibility by choosing to travel with different operators, making travel easier and more convenient."

From left, Cllr Mark Smith; Cllr Rupert Swarbrick and Andrew Varley

The easiest way to get your AnyBus smartcard (including the Under 19s AnyBus smartcard) is to apply online at: anybus-lancashire.co.uk

Here you can also purchase 1-day, 7-day and 28-day tickets. Once you have selected your date of travel, your purchase will be loaded onto your smartcard when you tap it on the ticket machine when boarding the first bus you travel on.

You can also pick up an AnyBus Smartcard from:

• Blackpool Transport Customer Centre, Market Street, Blackpool, FY1 1EX

• Archway Travel Depot Office, Archway House, Copse Road, Fleetwood, FY7 7NY

To buy tickets for your AnyBus smartcard online, you will need to register on the anybus portal and link your card.

If you already have an AnyBus or Stagecoach smartcard, you can also ask your driver for a 1-day or 7-day ticket.

The AnyBus Fylde Coast scheme is supported by funding from HM Government via Lancashire County Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan, from which Lancashire County Council has secured £41.9m so far, in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

For more information visit: nowcard.org/anybus