First Bus Electric Single Decker

Money-saving tickets introduced to First Glasgow’s payment technology

  • New, better value bundle tickets added to Glasgow’s Tap On Tap Off technology
  • Fares review will see prices for existing tickets increase from Sunday 2nd April 2023

New three-day and five-day bundle fares will be added to First Glasgow’s Tap On Tap Off payment technology to offer frequent bus users better value travel, from Monday 1st May 2023.

The new ticket options will mean that bus travellers will be able to take limitless journeys within either three or five days, with their fares capped at £14.70 and £18.60 respectively.

This update comes as the transport operator is introducing a range of new prices and ticketing options following a fares review.

While prices will increase, First Bus is implementing these changes to reflect the significantly increased operational costs that it – like many transport operators - is facing and has worked hard to keep prices below the rate of Consumer Price Index inflation. According to the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), outgoings for bus operators in the UK have risen by around 25% since 2019.

The overhaul of First Glasgow’s ticketing options will see most fares increase by an average of 9% from Sunday 2 April 2023.

Duncan Cameron, Managing Director of First Bus Scotland, said: “Tap On Tap Off travel has been well-received in Glasgow since its introduction in 2022. It’s fast, easy to use and great value, and we’re confident that with these upcoming updates, frequent travellers will be able to make even further great savings.

“The updates to our ticketing structure are essential to allow us to continue to deliver and grow our services across Glasgow. Like so many other transport providers, we’re facing significant rising costs across our operations, and fare increases reflect that. Nonetheless, we have strived to keep 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 Glasgow. 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 the city”

More information can be found at firstglasgow.com/fares

-ENDS-

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