Private buses but public money for smart cards?

Norfolk is proud today that they have got £2.5m to introduce smart cards on the county's buses. But I am not.
The buses were privatised - not something I favoured in fact. But OK, they are run by private companies, making money. Fair at it goes. They get handsome support for providing some un-profitable services. Fair enough.
But they will be able to run better services, save time, reduce staffing, cut costs by having smart cards - and we are having to pay for it. Why? Times are hard enough, cuts are hurting everyone except the rich. Why this mis-use of our tax monies?
Disgraceful - again. What a bunch of toons we did elect.

Details here: http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/News/NCC120114