BUS users in West Yorkshire are able to use a new 'London style' contactless ticketing system from today. 

First has become the first bus operator to introduce the technology on all its services in the region.

It says the Tap On Tap Off (TOTO) contactless system "guarantees customers ultimate flexibility on the fare paid".

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

To use TOTO, a person 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.

The payment technology has been installed on First West Yorkshire’s fleet of nearly 900 buses, marking an investment of £850,000.

Martin Hirst, Commercial Director of First West Yorkshire, said: “The introduction of Tap On Tap Off is an important step in simplifying journeys and will pave the way to an all-operator integrated system in the future.”

TOTO payment coincides with the start of a new fares structure created by First West Yorkshire.

It has been devised to encourage more people to use the bus and as travel behaviour adapts following the pandemic, with work and leisure patterns changing.