First Aberdeen rolling out Express Mode for Apple Pay for bus travel

• First Aberdeen launches new way for customers to avoid using cash on buses during these unprecedented times.
• With Express Mode for Apple Pay customers can pay for their fare by just tapping their iPhone or Apple Watch.
• First Aberdeen is first Scottish transport operator to pilot this technology before a UK-wide rollout across First Bus.
• The pilot scheme has been accelerated to make bus travel easier than ever for essential journeys around the city.

First Aberdeen brings Express Mode for Apple Pay to customers, offering yet another way to avoid paying by cash during the Coronavirus outbreak. 

The launch of this innovative technology has been accelerated through the impact of the Coronavirus, with the city’s largest bus operator advising customers to avoid paying cash on bus wherever possible due to the latest government advise on limiting the spread of the Coronavirus. First Bus has seen the use of cash fall by around 5% due to Covid-19 guidance on avoiding its use where possible.

Express Mode for Apple Pay means for the first time ever customers with Apple Pay can access First bus and pay for their ticket using their iPhone or Apple Watch. There is no need to wake or unlock the device, open an app or use Face ID or Touch ID.

Customers will now be able to enjoy the true ‘tap-and-go’ convenience of Express Mode on Apple Pay on iPhone and Apple Watch by holding their device near the reader, which will make boarding even faster. 

This new option means yet another cashless method for customers to pay for their bus travel with over 80% currently using cashless payment methods on our buses, meaning a great number of customers in Aberdeen are set to benefit from this latest innovation. 

Once the technology is fully operational in Aberdeen, it will be rolled out across our networks in the UK 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.”

Apple Pay is easy to set up. On iPhone, simply open the Wallet app, tap +, and follow the steps to add your credit or debit cards. To enable Express Mode for Apple Pay, go to Settings and select your chosen card in Wallet & Apple Pay under Express Travel Card. 

For more information on First Aberdeen tickets visit: https://www.firstgroup.com/aberdeen/tickets/tap-cap

For more information on Apple Pay, visit: https://www.apple.com/uk/apple-pay/