Bell Punch Ultimate Fare System 6 way Transport Ticket Machine 

On offer today is a 1970s Vintage Bell Punch Ultimate Fare System 6 way Transport Ticket Machine. Made in London by the Bell Punch Company Limited, founded in 1878, and distributed by Automaticket Ltd.

It comes with six Bell Punch ticket rolls, issued post-decimalisation in 1971. Five are new rolls and one has been partially used but all are vibrant and intact in denominations of ?p, 4p, 6p, 7p, 8p and 12p. 

The ticket machine is in pretty good cosmetic and working condition, with some surface scratches / blemishes commensurate with age and use. The levers and buttons all depress satisfactorily but the machine needs a replacement ribbon if you want to print the tickets with fare stage details.

Approximate Size (WHD):-  18 x 9 x 16cm

Some machines were supplied with an all over hammered paint finish whereas others had a painted top plate but unpainted aluminium body.  This one has a painted finish all over. It is quite striking and pretty heavy!

These sorts of ticket machines were used by many bus / tram / ferry services, and even taxis, car parks or deckchair attendants, and were the mainstay of ticket machines from the late 1950s until the late 1980s.   

This type was typically used on London Transport, Merseyside and Southampton City Transport crew operated buses amongst others. Although 5-Way ticket machines were more popular (see photo).

The six-way machine can issue 6 different ticket values as single issue.

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