Over £1 million to support contactless bus payments

A £1.1m fund to support smaller bus operators in accepting contactless bank payments has been launched by the Scottish Government.

 

The grant fund will help smaller bus operators with the financial costs associated with upgrading systems to include smart payment services, enabling people to pay by contactless and by mobile. It is set to build on the success of the introduction of contactless payment by Scotland’s major bus operators and follows industry feedback of the complexities and barriers of accessing this payment solution.

 

The fund is comprised of £440k from the European Regional Development Fund Low Carbon Travel and Transport Programme which is matched by £660k from the Scottish Government.

 

The Smart Pay Grant Fund supports the government’s vision that all journeys on Scotland’s public transport networks can be made using some form of smart ticketing or payment.

 

Commenting on the launch of the fund, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “Contactless payment has quickly become the norm for many people looking to purchase low cost products and services, and we are now seeking to support this convenience on our public transport networks, making it easier to access travel in Scotland.

 

“For smaller bus operators in particular, the cost to upgrade machines can be prohibitively high, and so this fund responds to a need to support and encourage smaller operators to make the transition to contactless payment systems – benefitting everyone who chooses to travel more sustainably by using buses.

 

“The Smart Pay Grant Fund will place smaller operators on a more equal footing with larger bus operators and provide smarter, quicker and easier transactions for passengers right across Scotland.”

 

Full terms and conditions regarding the funding are available on the Transport Scotland website: www.transport.gov.scot/spgf