OXFORD Bus Company managers say staff are working round the clock to solve problems with new smartcard tickets which were introduced this week.

However, the company still cannot say when the computer glitch affecting some of the new 20,000 Key cards will be fixed.

The new cards were launched on Sunday amid a flurry of publicity trumpeting the paving of the way for joint ticketing on the county’s bus services.

However, when some passengers tried to board buses, their cards could not be scanned by the new machines, which told them they were invalid.

The firm said the biggest cause of the problem was passengers not confirming their details with them, so they could get the new pass in time.

However, hundreds of people who have collected cards have been affected by the software problems.

Oxford Bus company spokesman Phil Ashworth said 26,000 passengers made journeys with the passes on Tuesday, an increase of 3,000 on Monday.

He said senior managers were up until the early hours answering customers’ emails to try to solve the problems.

He said: “We realise there’s a problem and we need to look after our passengers and we’re not going to do anything that causes them further inconvenience.

“We’re making great strides to resolve the situation, with every available member of staff working flat out and putting in long hours. We believe we’re making good progress.”

Anyone holding new or old-style Key cards can travel on services until the problem is solved.

  • If you have any problems with your Key card call the company’s helpline on 0845 605 5050 or email thekey@oxfordbus.co.uk