Passengers travelling across the East Riding can now use a new tap-on, tap-off contactless system on all East Yorkshire Buses, following an upgrade supported by East Riding of Yorkshire Council using UK Government funding through the Department for Transport’s Bus Service Improvement Plan. The operator has completed installation across its entire fleet, offering a faster, simpler way to pay without buying a paper ticket from the driver.
How the new system works
The technology allows customers to board and alight with a single tap at each end of the journey using a contactless bank card, smartphone or smartwatch. Passengers tap on at the driver’s machine when boarding and tap off using a reader near the exit when leaving the bus. The system then automatically calculates the best-value fare for the trips made that day, whether for a single journey or multiple rides.
- Tap your contactless card or device on the driver’s machine to start your journey.
- Tap off at the reader by the exit when you leave the bus.
- No need to specify a destination or choose a ticket type.
- The system selects the most cost-effective price for the journeys made the same day.
Introducing contactless tap-on, tap-off is designed to cut queues at the front of the bus, reduce cash handling and make services more accessible to infrequent users or visitors who may be unsure of local ticketing options.
Backed by local and national funding
East Riding of Yorkshire Council confirmed it had provided a grant towards the rollout, using money from the Department for Transport’s Bus Service Improvement Plan programme. That national funding stream is intended to support schemes that improve the reliability, convenience and attractiveness of local bus services.
“I’m extremely pleased our funding has gone towards something that will really benefit local bus passengers by making paying for journeys easier and quicker. “The Tap On, Tap Off system is already running successfully on public transport in other parts of the UK, including in London, so I'm really glad it's coming to the East Riding.”
— Cllr Nick Coultish, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, Tourism and Planning, East Riding of Yorkshire Council
“The launch of Tap On, Tap Off marks another significant step forward in making bus travel even simpler and more convenient for our customers. “By automatically calculating the best value fare each day, customers can travel with confidence, knowing they'll never pay more than they need to. “We'd like to thank the East Riding of Yorkshire Council for their financial support in helping make this technology possible. Their investment demonstrates a real commitment to improving public transport across the region, and we're delighted to be working in partnership to deliver smarter, easier”
— Stuart Fillingham, Commercial Director, East Yorkshire Buses
What passengers need to know
For most users, the change means fewer steps when travelling and less time at the front of the bus. To make the most of the system:
- Use the same card or device to tap on and tap off, so your fare can be calculated correctly.
- Keep your card or device ready as you board to speed up boarding times.
- Tap off as you leave the bus to ensure the correct fare for the distance travelled and any same-day journeys.
| Feature | Before | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Payment method | Buy from driver; choose ticket | Tap on with card/phone/watch; tap off at exit |
| Fare calculation | Passenger selects ticket type | System calculates best value for journeys that day |
| Boarding time | Potential queues at ticket purchase | Quicker boardings with contactless taps |
Local impact and next steps
The upgrade is expected to improve boarding speeds at busy stops, making services more reliable at peak times and in town centres. It also removes guesswork for new or occasional riders by letting the technology determine the correct price for their trips on the day. The council’s involvement, using Bus Service Improvement Plan monies, signals an ongoing focus on practical measures to encourage public transport use and enhance the passenger experience in the East Riding.
While the tap-on, tap-off rollout applies to the operator’s full East Yorkshire Buses fleet, passengers can still use traditional methods if preferred. However, for many, the contactless option will simplify everyday travel—particularly where journeys vary during the day or where passengers are unsure which ticket offers the best value for multiple trips.
Residents are advised to look out for onboard signage indicating the location of the exit readers and to follow guidance from drivers as the system beds in. Those with queries about eligibility for concessions or the use of specific card types should check directly with East Yorkshire Buses customer services or consult the company’s official channels for the most up-to-date information on payment options and any exclusions.
The council and operator both framed the change as part of a wider push to modernise local transport, aligning East Riding with other parts of the country where similar technology is already established. With the infrastructure now in place across the fleet, the coming weeks will act as a test of how much time can be saved at bus stops and how far simpler payments can encourage more people to give the bus a try for local trips.
