FirstGroup : First Aberdeen reveals a choco-lot of reasons to go contactless

14 Aug 2017

• Bus operator's street teams highlight benefits of contactless and other smart payment methods
• Sweet touch as treat of chocolate coins is handed out to customers in drive to promote tap-and-go payments
• Need for cash payments melting away as new technology helps speed up payments and journeys

A team from First Aberdeen have been meeting customers to highlight the sweet benefits of contactless payment, which is now available across the bus operator's local network.

They handed out chocolate coins and information cards to hundreds of customers in the city, with a message that the need to carry real coins is melting away now that passengers have the option to tap-and-go or pay by other smart methods.

The 'choco-lot' of reasons for going contactless include:

• No need to worry about correct change or having to use your pin
• Speedier boarding times and journeys
• Less hassle and more convenience
• Contactless is designed to make small payments
• Contactless is widely accepted across the UK retail sector

First Aberdeen became the first bus operator in Scotland to introduce contactless payments in June of this year. It sees the contactless bank card as a significant step forward in reducing the use of cash on buses and speeding up boarding times and services.

The introduction of contactless follows the successful introduction of mobile payment by First Bus mTicket and the launch of the multi-operator GrassHOPPER smartcard in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

First Aberdeen Managing Director, David Phillips, said: 'We're very pleased with the take-up of contactless so far on our buses and this event was all about spreading the word among more customers in a fun way.

'Contactless is part of our commitment to making the journey even easier for our customers and follows development and investment in mobile mTickets, free on board wi-fi and our journey planner app.'