First Worcester has introduced a contactless payment option across its whole fleet, allowing passengers to pay for their journeys with a contactless-enabled credit or debit card, as well as through a smartphone with Apple Pay and Android Pay, up to the value of £30.
The contactless system was trialled by First Group in the Bristol area early in 2017, with First Group planning to roll out the system across the country by 2019. In the UK, contactless transactions regularly exceed 300 million per month, and the system is designed to speed up transactions. First Group have also introduced other initiatives to improve the passenger experience, including real-time information, free Wi-Fi and online journey planning.
Managing Director of First Bus, Giles Fearnley, said: “It’s important that our customers understand and embrace the new contactless payment technology. This we feel will be done best working with partners and other operators to clearly communicate the advantages of the new technology in wider multi operator schemes.”
Cllr Alan Amos, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways, says: “I welcome the introduction of this new and more convenient alternative method for payment. Worcestershire County Council continues to work in partnership with Bus Operators to deliver new and innovative solutions to make bus services in the County more accessible.”
