First Bus in York has hailed a sharp increase in the number of customers using its tap on, tap off payment system.
The method accounted for more than 1.7 million trips on the operator’s buses in the city in the year to 31 March, representing a rise of 245% over the previous 12 months.
The figures do not include journeys on the First Bus’s park-and-ride scheme in York.
One in three customers is now using tap on, tap off to pay for bus travel in York, making it the most popular method, says the operator.
Kayleigh Ingham, Commercial Director of First Bus in North and West Yorkshire, says: “This phenomenal growth in tap on, tap off shows that our customers are seeing the benefits of using our tap on, tap off technology. They know it’s the way to guarantee the best value fare for their journey.
“We have focused a promotional campaign on encouraging the use of tap on, tap off, especially for regular bus travel, where it delivers most value for money. Tap on, tap off is now showing strong take up and we expect it to grow further.”
Cash payments have fallen to around 7% of all fare transactions, says First.
First introduced tap on, tap off to York in October 2022.
