BUS passengers using Stagecoach services across Cumbria and North Lancashire can now pay for their travel using contactless technology.

New ticket machines have been installed on all of the company's fleet of 290 buses and passengers can now pay for their tickets using Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit and debit cards.

“We are increasingly paying for our goods and services without cash in our day-to-day lives and we are delighted to now offer this option on our buses," said Mark Whitelocks, managing director at Stagecoach in Cumbria and North Lancashire. "Contactless is a fast, easy and secure way for customers to pay for bus travel.

"We know from our research that one of the issues that can put people off using the bus is being worried about having enough or the right change to make the journey.

"We have now taken that problem away. With new ticket machines accepting contactless payments, the option to use our mobile app or purchase travel in advance via our website as well as continuing to accept cash on our buses we now offer flexibility to our customers in how they want to pay for their travel.”

The new contactless system is the latest multi-million-pound investment by Stagecoach in new digital tools for bus passengers. Previous investment has seen improvements to the website, the introduction of an app and providing real-time tracking information on both the website and the app to help customers plan their journey in real time.