Translink launches ticketing system for Glider bus network

Translink has unveiled its future ticketing system at the launch of the Glider bus rapid transit network in Belfast. The technology will allow riders with more flexible options to pay for journeys, the company says. Riders will be able to pay with cash, smartcard and contactless payment cards, mobile payments, online accounts and Translink smart cards. Flowbird developed the system and a back-office architecture called CloudFare. It is intended to allow administrators to monitor and control ticketing
September 19, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

376 Translink has unveiled its future ticketing system at the launch of the Glider bus rapid transit network in Belfast. The technology will allow riders with more flexible options to pay for journeys, the company says. 

Riders will be able to pay with cash, smartcard and contactless payment cards, mobile payments, online accounts and Translink smart cards. 

Flowbird developed the system and a back-office architecture called CloudFare. It is intended to allow administrators to monitor and control ticketing devices directly, view route performance statistics in real-time, set automatic system alerts, manage passenger accounts and run management reports. 

Additionally, Flowbird has installed 114 self-service retail units at halts along the network, supplied 230 platform validators and provided 45 handheld inspection devices. Passengers can buy tickets, top-up smartcards, collect tickets purchased online and validate journeys before boarding. 

Next year, the ticketing system will be introduced on all Translink Metro and Ulsterbus services, followed by NI Railways in 2020. Riders will also be provided with a customer smartcard portal and online top-ups in 2021. 

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Init installs e-fare system on over 530 bus routes in Orange County
    February 23, 2018
    Init has installed its e-fare validators on more than 530 fixed-route buses that belong to the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) as part of a system-wide project. The upgrade is expected to improve passenger experience by providing a more convenient payment option while allowing for potential future regional fare integration. Through the OC Bus Mobile app, riders can now scan a QR code from their smartphones on the validators to pay for fares when boarding a bus. In addition, the validators
    Read More
  • Preparations building for French national truck toll
    September 12, 2012
    The Autostrade led Ecomouv consortium is developing the next big system of truck tolling likely to be introduced in Europe – France’s ‘Eco-tax’. Jon Masters reports. Since October last year, a consortium of companies has been working on developing the technological and administrative systems necessary for a national system of truck tolling in France. Eco-tax, France’s truck toll, is not necessarily going to be implemented. The Ecomouv consortium has been set up as a long term concessionaire, but so far only
    Read More
  • ITS World Congress 2025: call for V2X real-world technology demo
    March 14, 2025
    Companies must submit tech by 31 March for inclusion at Atlanta in August
    Read More
  • Innovation without the chaos
    July 23, 2025
    Effective governance is required to ensure that artificial intelligence remains an asset rather than a liability, says Rafael Hernandez of IntelliRoad. He lays out his case here…
    Read More

Highlighted Content