First Aberdeen announces launch of Tap On Tap Off ticket technology from April
- New, better value on bus payment system coming to Aberdeen next month
- Fares review will see prices for existing tickets increase
First Aberdeen is introducing Tap On Tap Off (TOTO) payment technology for the first time on 2nd April 2023 to offer customers greater flexibility and value when they travel by bus.
The Aberdeen-based transport operator is confident the change will make it easier than ever before to travel by bus in and around the city. The move follows the successful introduction of the system in Glasgow in 2022, which has been well received for speed, ease of use and value.
This new payment technology will replace the existing Tap and Cap system in place in Aberdeen and will offer customers better value on their journeys as the most someone can spend on any number of journeys within a week will be £21.
The update comes as the transport operator is introducing new prices and ticketing options following a fares review.
While savings can be made with the new TOTO system, the overhaul of First Aberdeen’s ticketing options will see fares increase by an average of 9%.
The bus operator has worked hard to keep its fare increases below the rate of inflation.
Duncan Cameron, Managing Director of First Bus Scotland, said: “We’re looking forward to bringing our TOTO ticketing technology to Aberdeen. This change should bring with it a simpler, fairer, and more flexible way of travelling that we hope will make bus travel more accessible for both existing and new users.
“The updates to our ticketing structure are essential to allow us to continue to deliver our services across Aberdeen, while also investing in our fleet, our people, and our customer offering. As a business, we’re facing rising operating costs, but we have nonetheless strived to keep any increases to a minimum – and below the Consumer Price Inflation wherever we can.
“Bus remains one of the cheapest, most convenient, and sustainable ways of travelling around Aberdeen. Through investment in new electric buses and on-board technology, we’re making great efforts to make it an even more comfortable and environmentally friendly mode of transport for Aberdeen.”
The TOTO contactless system guarantees customers ultimate flexibility on the fare paid. It analyses a customer’s travel movements and then calculates the lowest fare for the journey they have made. The system allows the customer to have peace of mind that they will always receive the cheapest Day or Week fare for the travel they have completed.
To access TOTO, a person uses their contactless card or mobile device to ‘tap on’ at the ticket machine next to the driver. At the end of their journey, they simply ‘tap off’ on the new card reader device, which have been installed to enable the journey to be accurately recorded and savings made.
More information can be found at firstaberdeen.com/fares
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Notes to editors
Notes to editors
About First Bus
First Bus is one of the UK’s largest bus operators. Making journeys easier for our customers, we were the first national bus operator to accept contactless card payments across all of our services and our First Bus App is voted ‘best in class’ amongst UK bus operators. Our most recent investments are in new, state-of-the-art buses across our key networks.
We work proactively with our local authority partners, making a positive impact on air quality, tackling congestion and improving customer experience. We are focused on First Bus becoming a leader in the transition to a low-carbon future and are committed to operating a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035; we have pledged not to purchase any new diesel buses after December 2022. We also operate the Aircoach network in Ireland.
First Bus no longer purchases new diesel buses and is committed to achieving a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035.
First Bus is a division of FirstGroup.
First Bus is an equal opportunity employer
First Bus is an excellent place to work with opportunities for a rewarding career.
We are committed to equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion. We believe diverse experiences and attitudes help us better understand the needs of our customers.
For more information on First Bus: news-scot.firstbus.co.uk