DIAMOND has launched a new scheme in Redditch where certain bus tickets are available for purchase prior to travel in a bid to improve punctuality.

Passengers can now pay for their weekly or monthly pass at designated PayPoint shops or newsagents throughout the town.

This new system is part of a number of changes, introduced to improve timeliness of services in the area and reduce the morning queue as many people buy their passes from the driver on the bus.

A Diamond spokesman said:"We sell a large number of weekly and monthly passes every week. These are mostly purchased on Monday mornings. Buying passes on-board adds a few seconds for every passenger to each journey, and these all add up, especially if a lot of people are buying them at one particular time.

"We hope that by allowing people to buy their passes elsewhere on the day of travel, the bus service will be much more timely and reduce delays."

In addition to reduced boarding times, passengers will also be able to benefit from the flexible ways to pay that PayPoint shops are able to offer, such as paying by debit or credit card, where available. From next month, tickets will also be cheaper in PayPoint stores than on-bus.

A list of local stores where Diamond tickets are available can be viewed at diamondbuses.com or via a leaflet available to pick up on-board.