Central SMT

Tickets : Setright Speeds

In the early 1960s the Setright Insert, which had served so well since the company's inception, was replaced by the Setright Speed. This machine carried a roll of paper and it was very easy to churn out ordinary tickets quickly and efficiently. Of course, the Setright Speed also had a slot at the front and could therefore still serve as an insert machine when circumstances warranted. Although various other experiments were tried, the Setright Speed was the standard Central ticketing system throughout the 1960s and 1970s, before electronic solutions began to make their mark in the 1980s.

Three different models of Setright Speed were used. The Mark I was the pre-decimal model, but many were converted and survived after decimalisation. The Mark II was a post-decimal variant and the so-called Mark III (extended range Mark II) was the final form. It had a rather fiddly middle dial for the 'tens'.

For one-man-operated services (as they were called in those politically-incorrect times), all depots apart from Carluke (and Airdrie, after its acquisition in 1985) used electrically driven Setright Speed machines.

Mark I (pre-decimal)

These examples show pre-decimal speed tickets, together with a cardboard return ticket issued and cancelled in the slot of a Speed machine.

 

Mark I (decimal)

Here are a selection of single tickets issued by Mk I Setright Speed machines. The maximum fare on these machines was £1.99 - fine for most purposes, but requiring multiple imprints of weekly tickets.

    

Mark II

These tickets are from Mark II machines. They are distinguished by the fatter pence figures. Again, the limit was £1.99.

     

   

Mark III

These tickets were issued on "Mk III" (strictly Mk IIE) Setrights, which had a more practical upper limit of £9.99. They are distinguished by the use of a star (*) instead of zero in the pounds position.

     

Reverse side

 

Not the clearest scan, but this shows the reverse of a standard Setright Speed ticket. The text reads :

Issued subject to the rules and regulations published in the company's timetables and notices. To be shown on demand. Not transferable.