How do I pay for a first bus?

Cash or contactless Our buses accept contactless cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and cash, just ask your driver.

How do you pay on the First Bus?

Secure contactless payments are accepted on all of our buses. Paying with contactless is a simple and secure way to pay for tickets without cash. One tap of your contactless card, Apple Pay (now with Express Mode) or Google Pay and you're aboard and ready to go, no need to worry about having the right change.

Can I buy a single ticket on the First Bus app?

You can simply buy the ticket you want in advance of your journey or buy several at once. All of your purchased tickets are automatically put in your wallet and stored there until 'activated' so you'll always be ready for your bus journey.

Can I pay by debit card on a bus?

Look for the contactless symbol on your credit or debit card to see if your card is contactless enabled. Then, board a bus with the contactless symbol and instead of paying with cash, simply tap your card or contactless-enabled device onto the reader and wait for the beep.

What happens if I forget to tap off the First Bus?

You'll be charged the Single fare to the end of the journey of the bus you were travelling on - so please remember to 'Tap off'! We all make mistakes, so if you need any assistance let us know.

How To Pay Like A Pro!

Is it cheaper to tap on and off the first bus?

About Tap On Tap Off

Tap On Tap Off uses contactless payments to cap our adult bus fares so you'll never pay more than the day ticket price for each day that you travel with us, no matter how many journeys you make. And the great news is, the more you travel across 7 days, the cheaper the days become!

Do I need to tap twice on a bus?

To pay the right fare, always touch in on a yellow card reader at the start of your journey and touch out at the end. On a bus or tram you only need to touch in. Because where you touch in and out tells us where you've travelled from and to, so we can charge you the right fare for your journey.

Can we pay with a debit card on a bus?

Payment methods accepted

We accept contactless enabled Visa, Mastercard, UnionPay or American Express debit or credit cards. We also accept these cards in the digital wallet of your smartphone, smart watch or other smart devices such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.

How to use the First Bus ticket machine?

There's no need to ask the driver for a ticket; just tap when you get on and off the bus and make sure you tap the same contactless card or device each time. We accept payments on VISA, Mastercard, Apple Pay (now with Express Mode) and Google Pay. No more paper tickets!

Can you screenshot your First Bus ticket?

“The terms and conditions of e-tickets are clear that the customer must activate and take the ticket with them when they travel. A photograph or screenshot is not acceptable, as this is not the ticket and could be used by anyone.

Is it cheaper to buy a bus ticket on the app?

Yes, our day tickets, week tickets, month tickets and longer term tickets provide savings compared to multiple single cash fares. One of the best ways to buy these tickets is to use mTickets on the First Bus App, it's quick, easy and cash free. Download the app and follow the instructions, it's that simple.

Why does First Bus only charge me 10p?

This is just a temporary charge to check the card is valid. Once we've worked out your daily travel charge (which depends on how many journeys you made that day/night) we'll charge you for these journeys, and the 10p/£1 will be returned to your available balance.

How does contactless work on first buses?

Contactless is a simple and secure way to pay for bus travel without needing cash. Contactless payments can be made for any tickets up to the transaction value of £45 by placing your contactless card or device on the ticket machine's reader. Simply tap and go!

How do I pay for a first bus ticket?

Contactless payments, Apple pay, Google pay and cash are accepted on our buses.

How do you scan tickets on first bus?

Once activated, the app will generate a moving ticket image on your phone's screen and a QR code. This will stay active for the remainder of the ticket's validity and will include the time and a four letter 'word of the day'. You'll need to scan the QR when you board the bus or show the ticket to the driver.

How does scanning your card on the bus work?

Tap your card on the yellow card reader to open the ticket barriers at the start of your journey. Do the same when you arrive at your destination. Even if the barriers are open, tap the reader otherwise you are charged the full fare.

Do I tap off with a debit card?

With some transit system, iyou will be required to tap off at the end of your trip (such as GO Transit and UP Express), you will need to tap off when you pay with Interac Debit with the same card or digital wallet. It's important to use the same Interac Debit method to tap on and off to avoid paying duplicate fares.

What happens when you don't tap off on the bus?

What happens if I forget to tap off? If you forget to tap off you will be charged the full fare to the end of that route.

What happens if you tap out without tapping in?

Always tap in and tap out.

If you don't tap in and tap out on each journey, we won't know where you have travelled, so we can't charge the right fare. If this happens, your journey will be incomplete, and you could be charged a maximum fare. On a London Bus or tram, you only need to tap in.

Can I just tap my card on the bus?

Touch in at the start of your journey and touch out at the end on yellow card readers using contactless (card or device). Only touch in on buses and trams. Find out more about touching in and out.

Can you still pay with cash on buses?

Paying with cash

You must have the exact fare and only coins (not notes) are accepted. No change is given. You can pay the bus driver.

Where do I tap off on the first bus?

When you board the bus, use your contactless card or device to 'Tap on' at the ticket machine next to the bus driver. Once you've reached your destination, 'Tap off' the bus using the reader attached to the pole on the left hand side as you exit the bus.

Why do people tap their card when getting off the bus?

About Tap On Tap Off

Tap On Tap Off is the most convenient way to pay. There's no need to ask the driver for a ticket; just tap when you get on and off the bus and make sure you tap the same contactless card or device each time you tap. You'll only pay for what you use, with single fares calculated based on distance.

Why is my card declining on the first bus?

Your card may be or is due to expire and has been replaced by your card issuer. Your card may have recently been replaced by your card issuer but not yet activated. Your card may have been reported as lost or stolen and been cancelled by your card issuer.

How much is the bus fare on contactless?

London buses are all cashless, so you need an Oyster card, Travelcard or contactless payment card to ride. The bus fare in London is £1.75, and a day of bus-only travel will cost a maximum of £5.25. You can make unlimited free transfers to other buses and trams within one hour of touching in for your first journey.