First Aberdeen has announced the launch of a new way to avoid paying by cash during the coronavirus outbreak.
The introduction of Express Mode for Apple Pay means First Bus customers in Aberdeen can access First’s buses and pay for their ticket using their iPhone or Apple Watch without needing to wake or unlock the device, open an app or use Face ID or Touch ID.
Apple Pay’s Express Mode has been accelerated through the impact of the coronavirus, with the bus operator advising customers to avoid paying cash on bus wherever possible due to the latest UK government advice on limiting the spread of the virus.
First Bus said it has seen the use of cash fall by around 5% due to Covid-19 guidance.
This new option means another cashless method for customers to pay for their bus travel, with over 80% currently using cashless payment methods on First buses in Aberdeen.
According to First, once the technology is fully operational in Aberdeen, it will be rolled out across the operator’s UK networks throughout the remainder of the year.
Graeme Macfarlan, commercial director at First Aberdeen, said: “During these unprecedented times, we wanted to offer our customers another cashless way to pay for their bus travel and to make life as easy as possible.
“Aberdeen was the quickest market to adopt other popular payment methods on our buses across our entire UK bus operations and so it was the obvious first choice to be upgraded to the new Express Mode on Apple Pay technology.
“The new system will make life easier for customers choosing to travel with us during these difficult times.”
