news

Apple Pay ‘Express Mode’ now available across First Bus fleet

Posted: 28 September 2020 | | No comments yet

With Express Mode in Apple Pay, there is no need for First Bus customers to wake or unlock their devices or use Face ID or Touch ID to pay for travel.

Using iPhone and Apple Pay during COVID-19 pandemic

First Bus has become the first UK bus operator outside of London to launch Apple Pay’s ‘Express Mode’ for customers, meaning they won’t have to unlock their phones to pay for travel.

Flagship iPhones since the X model have only used Face ID to confirm user identity, with the technology unable to recognise users wearing a face covering – now a requirement across the UK for those wanting to use public transport.

With Express Mode for Apple Pay, First Bus customers can safely and easily pay for their fare by just tapping their iPhone or Apple Watch.

The scheme was accelerated through the impact of coronavirus and has now been introduced right across the company to make bus travel easier than ever for journeys throughout the UK.

Simon Pearson, Commercial Director at First Bus, 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 in the era of mask wearing.
A lot of our customers are already using cashless methods to access our services and this is another innovative method to avoid using cash that makes it quick and easy to pay for your bus travel.”

Customers can now benefit from 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. There is no need to wake or unlock the device, open an app or use Face ID or Touch ID.

First Bus continues to encourage cashless payments, and use of its app to purchase mobile tickets, to reduce the need for contact between customers and drivers. This latest update from First Bus forms part of its ongoing work to improve the customer experience.

Related modes

Related cities

Related organisations

Related people