Stagecoach North Scotland officially launched contactless payments on over 360 buses in the North Scotland area. 

To mark the deployment of contactless payments on buses across Moray and the Highlands, the local bus operator showcased the new technology in an event held at Inverness Airport. 

Buses play a critical role in the economic activity of the area connecting people and places and the introduction of contactless payments on-board is the next step in the evolution of travel making it even easier to travel by bus. 

The initiative allows passengers to pay for their travel with a contactless credit or debit card, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Passengers throughout Moray and the Highlands will benefit from the latest technology which will make boarding quicker and easier on all Stagecoach buses from Inverness and Elgin to Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney and Skye. There are currently over 100 million contactless cards in circulation in the UK. 

Mark Whitelocks, Managing Director of Stagecoach North Scotland, said: "Bus travel is experiencing a complete transformation and we are delighted to be able to celebrate this today. We continue to invest in new technology to make it easier than ever to catch the bus. From contactless technology and mobile apps to greener vehicles with lower emissions benefitting the environment, buses are the simpler, smarter and greener mobility solution. We will look forward to welcoming passengers on board to try the latest improvement we have introduced to our network across North Scotland." 

Inverness Airport General Manager Graeme Bell, said: “This is excellent news for airport passengers. Not only does it make using the Stagecoach service even easier, it is a boost for the many overseas visitors who often arrive at the airport with little or no UK currency to hand. For local passengers, it means one less thing to deal with when travelling to and from the airport.” 

The introduction of contactless payments is part of a £12 million project across the UK and follows on from the Stagecoach investment in their mobile app allowing customers to track their bus live as well as purchase their ticket before boarding the bus. 
  
Stagecoach today also released revised timetables for the Highlands network following a public consultation in February. The revised timetables will begin operation on 16th April with enhancements to journeys connecting Inverness Airport with Inverness throughout the summer months as well as enhancements to bus connections at Inverness College and Raigmore Hospital. 
  
Timetables are available to download at stagecoachbus.com

Related News

Sign up to stay informed of our events

Join our mailing list for the latest news & updates from the Spirit of Speyside Festivals!