Plans for all-in-one ticket that works on any bus

The Any Bus smart card scheme would enable travellers to hop between different bus operators

Bus passengers could eventually be able to buy one ticket that is valid on any bus run by any company.

The Any Bus smart card scheme would also potentially cut the cost of more lengthy and complex journeys across Lancashire, county leaders said.

Lancashire County Council is planning to roll out the scheme in phases and aims to cover the whole area by 2029.

The Fylde coast is set to be the first part of the county to receive the full service, with the single tickets also being valid for use on Blackpool’s trams.

'Takes time'

The scheme is already partially operating in Preston, but had been limited because one operator was not taking part.

Andrew Varley, County Hall’s head of service for public and integrated transport, said "negotiations" with that firm were continuing.

Mr Varley said the scheme meant "you basically buy one ticket and you can transfer between buses – and we sort the monies out in the background".

He added: "It’s something that takes time to roll out and we need to get one [trial] in place just to see how it works, but the intention is… to [introduce it on] every service in the county."

Head of highways Matthew Townsend acknowledged that Any Bus would require "a lot of different agreements and a lot of different negotiations" before it could come to every part of the county.

But he said it would be "better for the people of Lancashire as whole" than the current arrangement.