CONTACTLESS payment is now live on all Stagecoach buses across Hampshire and neighbouring counties – benefiting passengers who make around 39 million journeys throughout the year.

Passengers can now pay for bus journeys using contactless credit or debit cards, Apple Pay or Android Pay.

New dedicated ticket machines have been installed on the fleet of 490 buses and thousands of bus passengers per day will be able to benefit from the new state-of-the-art technology, which will help speed up boarding and mean customers don’t have to carry cash.

It means bus customers in the area now have access to a range of technology solutions, including mobile ticketing, real-time journey information, and integrated smart ticketing.

However, like other UK regions, Hampshire faces a growing problem of traffic congestion. Statistics by campaign group Greener Journeys show that average traffic speeds have fallen to below 10mph in Britain’s busiest towns and cities, significantly impacting bus travel with journey times currently increasing by 10 per cent per decade.

Edward Hodgson, managing director of Stagecoach South, said: “The introduction of contactless is yet another demonstration of the practical improvements bus operators are making for passengers. This is a new, fast, easy and secure way for customers to pay for bus travel and complements the many other technology solutions we have introduced recently.

“More of our customers are using contactless cards to pay for coffee, sandwiches and many other day-to-day activities. Transport is a key part of people’s lives and this is another great reason for people to choose greener and smarter bus travel.”

Following the recent introduction of m-ticketing technology, the new contactless system is the latest multi-million-pound investment by Stagecoach in new digital tools for bus passengers to make it a more attractive and stress-free option than travelling by car.

Stagecoach has previously introduced integrated smart ticketing as well as a new website and smartphone app which allow customers to receive real-time journey information, and the recent launch of mobile ticketing in the region.

The company has also invested more than £6m during the past year in new cleaner, greener vehicles.