Passengers with trentbarton will soon be able to use contactless payment for travelling on its buses following a successful trial.
The bus company is investing £2.5m into around 350 tap-on tap-off terminals for its fleet after the two-month trial on 11 skylink Derby routes.
Customers need to just tap-on with their contactless card when boarding the bus and then tap-off when exiting.
Kinchbus services, trentbarton's sister operator, will be first to see the scheme rolled out across its fleet this summer, followed by trentbarton by the autumn.
An estimated 40 million customers travel on trentbarton buses each year and 20,000 contactless payments are expected to be made each day.
The company said this is the first tap-on tap-off payment scheme to be used for a region's bus travel in the UK.
Managing director of trentbarton, Jeff Counsell said: "For decades we've been at the forefront of developing innovation in bus travel, including the vehicles, the all-round experience, the real-time information, attractive branding and outstanding levels of service by friendly drivers.
"By adding contactless in this more sophisticated and customer-centric way, whilst still accepting other methods of payment, we are creating more choice. It is innovations such as this which will encourage more people to choose bus travel."
During the two-month trial, one in five customers opted to pay with their contactless debit or credit cards.
John Clarfelt, managing director of Ticketer, the company that developed the system for the fleet, added: "We are delighted that the trial of our tap-on tap-off terminals, working together with Littlepay, was such a huge success for trentbarton and Kinchbus.
"Our ticket machines are the first in the UK to guarantee passengers pay for their actual journey, rather than a pre-scheduled ticket. They are also easy to use, passengers simply tap on with their contactless credit or debit card, then tap off as they disembark.
"They no longer need to state their destination or ticket type to the driver. We are so pleased that yet another of our innovations is making it easier for everyone to travel by bus."
To receive one WhatsApp message a day with the main headlines, as well as breaking news alerts, text NEWS to 07790 586202. Then add the number to your phone contacts book as 'Nottingham Post'.Your phone number won't be shared with other members of the group.
