Those who take the bus in Bath and the wider region will be able to take advantage of a new ‘Tap On, Tap Off’ payment service thanks to an expansion of the system.
Metro Mayor Dan Norris with a First Bus driver | Photo © WECA
Bath Bus Company and Faresaver have now introduced the service on a number of their buses.
The expansion is being funded by the UK government, through cash secured for the region by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).
Tap On, Tap Off is the most convenient way to pay. Passengers do not need to ask the driver for a ticket, they just tap the reader with a contactless card, mobile phone or device such as an Apple Watch when boarding and make sure they tap the same card when getting off.
Not having to buy a ticket from the driver also speeds up the boarding process, benefitting all passengers.
Dan Norris, the Mayor of the West of England, said: “It should be as easy as possible for people across the West of England to use buses in our region, and my investment in free Birthday Bus travel and better bus stops is making that a reality.
“I’m pleased that Bath Bus Company and Faresaver have introduced Tap On, Tap Off on their buses, following in the footsteps of First Bus who have it on all of theirs, thanks to funding from my Mayoral Combined Authority.
“The beauty of Tap On, Tap Off is that there’s no need to wait until your ticket is printed. You just get on the bus, tap your card and then you’re on your way so it’s a smoother journey for everyone.”
For passengers who Tap On, Tap Off, Bath Bus Company and Faresaver work out the correct fare for each journey and ensure that customers never pay more than the relevant day ticket fare each day they travel, no matter how many journeys they make.
Derek White, Managing Director at Bath Bus Company, said: “We are pleased to have worked with the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority to provide Tap On, Tap Off technology to our ticketing system.
“Passengers will be able to pay for their tickets on their contactless cards or smartphone on a reader as they board. This will simplify and improve the time taken to board the bus and also improve the customer experience.”
Daniel Pickford, Director at Faresaver, added: “With the help of funding provided by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, we are introducing Tap On, Tap Off on all of our services covering Bath and South Gloucestershire.
“This initiative will make it easier for passengers to catch the bus, safe in the knowledge that they will never be charged more than the daily or weekly caps.
“We also hope it will improve boarding times, which in turn will make journey times faster across our network.”
