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New contactless payment option launched for Reading Buses

Posted: 27 February 2017 | Rachael Harper | No comments yet

Reading Buses is the first independent operator to go 100% contactless in a scheme which will form the UK’s first town-wide contactless bus network outside of London. This means all residents in the borough will be served by buses accepting bank cards.

Reading Buses is the first independent operator to go 100% contactless in a scheme which will form the UK’s first town-wide contactless bus network outside of London. This means all residents in the borough will now be served by buses accepting bank cards.

“Contactless is the final part of our ‘three part’ digital ticketing strategy which includes the use of ‘QR’ barcodes on paper tickets, cutting down the amount of waiting time as people simply scan as they board rather than waving their ticket at the driver,” said Martijn Gilbert, CEO at Reading Buses. “The Reading Buses app forms the second element which has integrated journey planning, live bus tracking and mobile tickets, all on one platform.”

Contactless payment: part of the ‘more ways to pay’ scheme

This is all part of Reading Buses’ ‘more ways to pay’ scheme, benefiting passengers not only via a multitude of payment methods, but also with the choice of paying on the day or in advance: “There really is something for everyone ­­­­­­­- with the added advantage of even more ways to pay,” Martijn continued.

Reading Buses will also be the first operator using the Ticketer system to go contactless which also includes an integrated card reader for all card types, whether contactless bankcard, ENCTS concessionary pass or other ITSO smartcards, as well as Apple and Android pay.

“Contactless payment technology on Reading’s bus network is great news”

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Andrew Jones MP, attended the launch, saying: “Buses make vital journeys possible every day and we are doing everything we can to improve services for passengers. The roll-out of contactless payment technology on Reading’s bus network is great news for the many passengers every day who use them around the town.”

Future plans for Reading Buses include a ‘tapping’ model for a £2 flat fare in central Reading, which is planned for launch in the coming months.