You can pay on a First Bus using contactless card/device (Apple/Google Pay), the First Bus App (mTickets), or exact cash. Simply tap your card or phone on the reader when boarding. For best value, use "Tap On, Tap Off" with the same card for automatic daily/weekly fare capping.
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.
We encourage all of our customers to buy tickets using the First Bus App or to pay by contactless card on board. If you are paying with cash, please try to use the exact fare.
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.
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.
What happens if you accidentally drove little on a bus lane?
Some local councils are responsible for enforcing bus lane rules and use cameras to do this. If you don't follow the bus lane rules, you might get a fine called a 'charge notice' from the local council.
Is it cheaper to buy a bus ticket online or on the bus?
It's almost always cheaper to buy your bus ticket online or via the operator's app before you board, with savings on single fares and significant discounts on multi-day or monthly passes, as onboard purchases often incur a premium or require exact change, making digital booking more convenient and economical.
Yes, you can tap your credit card (or debit/smart device) on most buses for quick, cashless payments, looking for the contactless symbol, but you must tap on and sometimes tap off, using the same card for fare capping, though some tickets (like child/family) might need a different method or driver purchase.
If you don't touch in and out, we can't tell where you've travelled from or to. This means your journey will be incomplete and you will be charged the maximum fare.
The UK's £2 bus fare cap, originally ending in 2023, was extended multiple times and eventually transitioned to a £3 cap in England (outside London) from January 2025 to December 2025, funded by the government to help with living costs. However, some regions, like Liverpool City Region and Telford, have stepped in with local funding to keep their specific £2 caps running longer, with Liverpool aiming for 2026, while the national scheme shifted focus to the £3 cap to support bus services long-term.
Where to buy your ticket: In public transport with contactless payment. You can pay for your trip using your contactless bank card (debit or credit), smartphone or smartwatch. Every STIB bus, tram and metro station is equipped with a specific contactless payment device.
Can I use a contactless card instead of an Oyster card?
You can pay as you go using contactless (card or device), an Oyster card or a Visitor Oyster card. It also offers great value as pay as you go is cheaper than buying single tickets and you get daily and weekly capping.
Yes, it is generally cheaper to use First Bus's Tap On Tap Off (TOTO) system because it automatically caps your daily and weekly spending at the equivalent of a day or weekly ticket, saving you money compared to buying multiple single tickets, especially for multiple journeys, though buying mTickets on the app can sometimes be even cheaper. You must tap off with the same card to get the best value and avoid being charged a higher default fare, as TOTO calculates your fare based on your specific journeys.
If the CCTV camera detects a vehicle illegally driving in a bus lane, it will automatically record a minimum eight-second long video of the vehicle as evidence. Note that there is no camera flash to show that the camera has been activated when it detects a vehicle that is not permitted to drive in the bus lane.
For example, if the sign says 'Mon-Fri, 7-10am', it means you are not able to drive in the bus lane on weekdays between 7 am and 10 am. Some bus signs have two times on them, which means that you can only drive outside of the times stated.
mTickets: One of the best ways to buy 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.
To pay, just tap your contactless card or payment device on the driver's ticket machine & wait for the beep – no need to ask for a ticket. Visit firstbus.co.uk/payments to track your best value fares.
