FIRST Bus has revealed a "radical overhaul" of its fares structure across West Yorkshire and the introduction of Tap On Tap Off (TOTO) payment technology on its buses.

The changes begin across the region on Monday, December 13.

The contactless system charges for a single journey and customers who make several bus trips each day on First West Yorkshire services will pay a maximum £5.20 on the first day, which then continues to reduce the more they travel during a week.

To use the new system, a passenger uses their contactless card or mobile at the ticket machine next to the driver, but must 'tap' again on the new special card reader device when leaving the bus.

What are the changes?

  • Among five new ticket types is a discounted Return with prices starting at £2.50 for customers who make a simple journey to a destination and back.
  • Single tickets, which account for 60 per cent of all sales, have been simplified to four lower prices beginning at £1.40. The maximum price for the longest journeys will be £2.90, a reduction of 17 per cent on the existing fare.
  • Changes in commuting and hybrid working have led to the creation of Flexi tickets with 3-day and 5-day options for people to plan their travel Monday-Friday or over a full week and a 13-day ticket allowing trips to be spread over a month.
  • Prices for all tickets will be consistent across West Yorkshire to achieve equality between districts and boundaries have been removed, enabling travel anywhere in the region with the same ticket.
  • Pre-payment through the First Bus App will see a Single remaining at £2 for any trip.

Martin Hirst, Commercial Director of First West Yorkshire, said: “This is a fundamental change to our fares which brings benefits to the hundreds of thousands of people who travel with us across West Yorkshire every week.

“Our customers want a more personalised approach, with a cost related to paying for what they use, and a pricing system designed around their journey not operational processes, which has been the traditional approach to fares planning.”

“The introduction of Tap On Tap Off is another important step in simplifying journeys and will pave the way to an all-operator integrated system in the future.

“Our new fares will encourage new users and those making infrequent journeys to see the great value of bus travel.

"Regular customers have more options to fit their travel needs and the majority will be able to take advantage of a reduced fare against what they paid previously.”