BUS passengers in Oxfordshire have become the first outside London to take advantage of revolutionary 'contactless' card payments.

In a move hailed by transport bosses as a 'giant leap forward', technology rolled out by Stagecoach means people can now buy tickets using 'wave and pay' bank cards or smartphones.

The change affects all of the operator's services across the county, including some 180 buses, with Oxford Bus Company confirming it expected to follow suit 'in the near future'.

Speaking this morning, Stagecoach Oxfordshire managing director Martin Sutton said: "Contactless payments is something people have said they would like for a long time and will make life a lot easier for passengers.

"It is an important first step for us and we felt Oxford was a good place to try it because of how extremely well-used buses are here."

The new technology allows anyone with a contactless credit or debit card to buy tickets on Stagecoach buses.

Passengers with smartphones can also pay using either Apple Pay or Android Pay, as well as the operator's recently-launched app.

It is hoped the change will dramatically reduce payments made by cash, which bosses say would cut queues and lead to fewer delays.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones, who attended the launch of the service at Water Eaton park and ride, said he also hoped the new technology would encourage more people to use public transport.

thisisoxfordshire:

  • Transport Minister Andrew Jones, who joined the launch in Oxford

He added: "Buses are the workhorses of our public transport system and help people get to work, visit family and friends and reach doctor appointments.

"We need to encourage more people to get out of their cars and use public transport and part of that is making it more attractive so that people want to use it.

"This will mean passengers can pay without having to scrabble around for change."

The introduction of contactless payments marks the first time the technology has been made available outside of London and is part of a national scheme that will gradually see it rolled out to other areas.

In the capital, Transport for London has now phased out cash payments on its buses but Mr Sutton said this was 'a long way off' in Oxfordshire.

thisisoxfordshire:

  • Stagecoach said it would continue to accept cash on buses

He added: "This is about giving people alternative ways of paying, so at the moment I do not foresee us following the London example."

Ian Hudspeth, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said the rollout marked 'the start of something new'.

He said: "It is fantastic news. Contactless payments are the way forward and will make it even easier for people to hop on a bus into Oxford.

"This will be of huge benefit to our plans for a bus lane along the A40 and will hopefully speed up people's journeys.

"It is a giant leap forward for bus travel in Oxfordshire."

Oxford Bus Users chairman Hugh Jaeger also welcomed the move, adding: "Anything that enhances the different ways people can pay for their bus tickets and makes boarding quicker is very helpful, but it is wise of Stagecoach to keep cash payments.

thisisoxfordshire:

  • Hugh Jaeger, chairman of passenger group Bus Users Oxford

"It would not surprise me if in a decade they are phased out but it is not time to make that jump just yet."

A spokesman for Oxford Bus Company said yesterday: "We've received a lot of feedback from customers who would like to see contactless payments being introduced to our bus services as soon as possible.

"However, they have also been clear it should fit in with the multi-operator ticketing schemes in Oxford.

"We have been working very hard to make this a reality and expect to introduce contactless payments in the near future."