Stagecoach set to launch contactless payments on buses

Commuters have welcomed contactless payments on Stagecoach buses in Tyne and Wear in the hope that they will stop buses being late.

Following the £2million development of their app, Stagecoach are hoping this investment will allow for faster and more convenient journeys. The public will be able to buy tickets of up to £30 with their bank cards or smartphones (through Android and Apple pay).

Buses in Tyne and Wear – the number 18 to Seaburn in particular – are often reported as late by passengers through complaints on the Stagecoach Facebook forum.

A spokesperson for Stagecoach said: “The vast majority of our services arrive on time. However, like all road users, our buses can be affected by the growing issue of congestion.”

However, a passenger’s safety should not be overlooked to avoid being late.

An alleged incident took place on Tuesday October 25 when Chelsea Nadine White, from Newcastle, was on the number 39 bus from Byker.

She has explained that she witnessed an elderly man “at least in his 70’s” get on the bus. “The driver didn’t give the man chance to sit down and he accelerated. This caused the man to fall on his back.”

Chelsea said: “He seemed to be in a bit of pain but he was more embarrassed.”

When explaining that she contacted Stagecoach about the incident, Chelsea added: “I messaged them and they said they would look into it, but I never got anything back.”

A spokesperson for Stagecoach said: “Safety is our absolute priority. Our drivers are professionally trained and we expect customer care to be at the forefront of their minds.”

The company are now looking further into the details of this supposed incident.

By 2018, the Stagecoach team are hoping to have contactless payment machines fitted into all 7,200 of their buses. Stagecoach Communications Team said: “More details will be released locally nearer the time.”

For more information on the contactless payments investment, please visit https://www.stagecoachbus.com/regional-help-and-contact/north-east/contactless.