Arriva Cymru has introduced tap on, tap off capped contactless payments to its services in North Wales in partnership with Transport for Wales (TfW). The concept will be extended to the multi-operator 1bws product in the region later in 2022, the operator says.
In addition to the group’s services wholly within North Wales, tap on, tap off payments are also accepted on its cross-border routes to and from Chester. Work in collaboration with TfW has seen a standalone contactless card reader from Ticketer installed adjacent to the door on over 170 buses. Customers tap on via the conventional ticket machine and Arriva hopes that the means of payment will reduce stop dwell times.
Says Arriva Bus UK Commercial Director North Richard Hoare: “The tap on, tap off scheme makes bus journeys simpler, giving customers peace of mind knowing that they will be charged the best value fare, whether they make a single journey or multiple trips.
“A partnership between Arriva and TfW has led to the successful implementation of the scheme for Arriva products. We look forward to evolving our ticketing partnership with other operators by adding the 1bws range to tap on, tap off during 2022.”
Adds TfW Chief Executive James Price: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Arriva by providing our technology and insights for the tap on, tap off scheme. It perfectly aligns with TfW’s aims of making public transport as accessible, easy and affordable as possible for everyone. I am sure it will be welcomed by customers across North Wales and the borders.”
Arriva first began a trial of tap on, tap off payment in Leicestershire during October 2021 and says it will add further locations “very soon.”
