Three Stagecoach Midlands routes in Daventry are to move to a cashless revenue collection model in what the operator says is a move to modernise the customer experience and improve reliability.
Services D4, D5 and D6 in the town will cease accepting cash at the end of October. Non-concessionary users will instead need to purchase tickets via the Stagecoach app or use contactless payments onboard.
The operator says that at present, 27% of transactions on the three services are made with cash, although it adds that in research carried out during March, the primary reasons for doing so were convenience and habit.
Stagecoach is encouraging customers to try those alternatives ahead of the change. It says that a move to cashless operation on the three Daventry routes is part of a commitment to delivering a “faster, more convenient and customer-focused service.”
It cites benefits as including quicker boarding times, a modern travel experience, a more welcoming environment through drivers being able to focus on customer service rather than cash handling, and better value for customers who access the best fares via the Stagecoach app.
Stagecoach Midlands Managing Director Mark Whitelocks says that if any customer “genuinely cannot pay, they will still be able to travel.”
He adds: “This change is about making bus travel simple, faster, and more accessible for everyone. We know most of our customers already use contactless or mobile payments, and by going cashless on these routes, we are helping services to run more reliably while giving our drivers more time to focus on delivering great customer service.”
On whether the cashless policy could be extended to other Stagecoach routes or areas, a group spokesperson says that the Daventry work will help “to explore how we can improve punctuality and boarding times while also responding to the way customer payment habits are evolving.”
They continue: “Like many retailers and service providers, we are looking at how we futureproof our services in a way that best supports our customers and the communities we serve.”
