South Wales residents can now access flexible, capped bus travel

Passengers across South Wales can benefit from simpler, more flexible, and capped bus travel with a pay as you go payment system on Stagecoach buses.

Those travelling on a Stagecoach service will now be able to tap their contactless card or device (smartphone or watch) on the ticket machine when boarding the bus and tap off on the 'tap off' reader as they leave.

Adult fares purchased using the pay as you go system will be capped* at daily and weekly levels varying by area to offer fantastic value to customers.

By signing up for a Stagecoach account, pay as you go users will be able to track their journeys and spending.

Those who do use the contactless pay as you go system will need to make sure they tap off at the end of their journey. If they forget, they could be charged the cost of a single fare to the end of the bus route.

The payment system is for adult fares only.

Martin Gibbon, managing director of Stagecoach South Wales, described the system as “another great step in bringing customers modern bus travel."

He said: “Our pay as you go system makes jumping on a Stagecoach bus even easier, with more flexibility, offering great value with capped daily and weekly tickets.

“We’ve listened to our customers. Previously, if they forgot to tap off, they’d incur a flat £10 charge. We’ve now improved the system to change this.

“Our system can see where you’ve jumped on the bus, but if you don’t tap off, it assumes you went to the end of the route and charges you based on that journey. But, for those who do forget to tap off, we’re asking you to reach out to us. Let’s talk and see if we can help.”

The Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said: “This is great news for Stagecoach passengers. Pay as you go provides a simpler and fairer way to travel and, in turn, will encourage more people to travel by bus.”

To find out more about pay as you go travel in Wales, visit Stagecoach's website.

*Caps vary by route and area. For further information, visit the Stagecoach website.