Transport minister, Andrew Jones MP helped launch the introduction of contactless payments which will go live this Saturday on Transdev’s pioneering 36 bus. The 36 is one of the first bus services outside of London to offer contactless to its customers.

Contactless payment will be available for easy purchase of all single, return and day tickets on the 36. All customers need to do is swipe their contactless bank card to buy their ticket in the same way they do at many retailers. For the first month they will also be able to access a cheaper return ticket when using the new technology.

Alex Hornby, CEO for Transdev, said: “We want to make getting on board the bus as easy as possible, and bringing contactless payment to the 36 for our current and potential users is a no brainer.

This is all about making the 36 experience as effortless and as easy as possible, and ensuring we don’t rest on our laurels even with the sector-leading standards we already offer on our highly specified buses between Leeds, Harrogate and Ripon.

Once we have established the success of contactless on the 36, we will of course look to extend this further on other Transdev routes as we continue to innovate and do amazing things for our customers.”

Andrew Jones MP said: “What a great step forward for bus travel.  Contactless payments are growing in popularity and more and more contactless debit and credit cards are being issued every day.  For small payments of everyday items it is a fast, convenient and safe way to pay.  This is yet another improvement to the 36  and it is good to see such a popular service going from strength to strength.”

The 36 runs every 15 minutes with a £3.3 million fleet of new, highly specified luxury buses, offering free WIFI, USB power points, at seat tables, comfy, leather coach style seating and a glazed roof on the top deck.

The standard £7.20 return fare will be just £7 in the month of June when using contactless. Timetables, fares and other information can be found at www.the36.co.uk.