First Glasgow introduces new ticketing options that reflect customers’ post-pandemic travel needs
- Brand new ‘Tap On Tap Off’ fares introduced in Glasgow to make bus travel around the city cheaper and even easier
- Some fare prices will rise with ticketing updates, but customers should see better value and flexibility overall
First Glasgow is introducing a new range of ticketing options from 1st May 2022, offering customers greater flexibility and value when they travel by bus.
Among the updates, Tap On Tap Off (TOTO) payment technology will be introduced on its Glasgow buses for the first time – a move which the transport operator is confident will make it easier than ever before, to travel by bus.
While some fares have been frozen at 2019 prices – such as Family and Airport tickets – the overhaul of First Glasgow’s ticketing options will see some fares increase by an average of 6.2%. However, First Glasgow expects that these fare changes will help many customers save money as new tickets have been designed to reflect today’s post pandemic travel habits following a detailed analysis of passenger and purchasing data.
Among the new, better value options are Two-Trip tickets (from £4.50 on the First Bus App), offering fairer prices to customers currently using a Day ticket to make just two journeys. The introduction of a variety of flexible mobile tickets for Adults and Students, in addition to continued participation in the Scottish Government’s free travel for Under 22’s scheme, means First Glasgow will ensure customers travelling by bus have greater choice of money-saving fares options.
These new options are more cost-effective in comparison to previous rates as they have been designed to suit the emergence of hybrid working patterns and the end of the traditional five-day commute. Within the ticket changes that are coming into effect, First Bus has made sure that no fares will increase in the area by more than the current CPI inflation rate of 7%.
Duncan Cameron, Managing Director of First Bus Scotland, said: “The new pricing creates a simpler, fairer, and more flexible choice of tickets. So, whether you only travel on weekends, or are a ‘new normal’ commuter, our new tickets options reflect today’s real-world travel.
“These changes are essential to allow us to continue to deliver services across the city for our customers. We have worked hard to keep any fare increases to a minimum – ensuring that no increase surpasses Consumer Price Inflation - and continues to offer customers the cheapest fares via the First Bus App.
“We’re looking forward to bringing Tap On Tap Off travel to Glasgow, making bus easier and more accessible for new users. There’s never been a better time to make bus travel part of your everyday routine and we hope that with these changes, we’ll see more of Glasgow choose bus over car as their preferred mode of travel in the city, benefitting both the environment and their pockets.”
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 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 in order for the journey to be accurately recorded.
More information can be found at firstglasgow.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 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.
We are working to increase the number of females applying for bus driver roles within the business as we do believe businesses are more likely to have continued success if our bus companies reflect the communities that they serve.
For more information on First Bus: news-scot.firstbus.co.uk