Ways to pay

Explore the different methods for purchasing bus tickets to suit your travel needs. Choose your preferred payment method to learn more:

• Tap on Tap off
• First Bus app
• Cash or contactless payments
• Concessionary travel passes
• York by Bus smartcard
• Online
• Travel centres

Tap on with the bus driver and Tap off on the dedicated reader as you get off the bus – you can use any debit or credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. Your bus fare is worked out based on distance travelled so you’ll pay only for what you use. You can travel to anywhere in York from as little as £1.50 per trip and your daily payment is capped at £4.80 with additional journeys in the same week unlocking further discounts. Available on all of our buses. Click here to find out more.

You can plan your journey, track your bus, and buy your tickets in advance on the First Bus app. It’s the most convenient way to buy tickets 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can choose from a variety of tickets from singles to weekly or monthly options. Simply scan your mobile ticket when boarding and, you’re ready to go.

Contactless is a convenient way to pay for your ticket. Our buses accept contactless cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and cash. Simply ask the driver for your preferred ticket, tap your contactless card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay to buy, and board without needing change. You can check your contactless payment history here.

Individuals who are of state pension age or registered as disabled and hold a valid Concessionary travel pass can travel for free on main network buses after 9:00am from Monday to Friday, and throughout weekends and Bank Holidays. English National Concessionary travel pass holders can also enjoy free travel on York's Park & Ride services. However, a fare of £1.30 is charged when boarding from any of the six Park & Ride sites. Click here to find out more.

The York by bus smartcard offers a convenient way of travelling by bus. You can buy, top-up and check your York by bus smartcard's balance at smart kiosks. After topping up your York by bus smartcard, simply tap it on the ticket machine each time you board the bus. Click here to find out more about First York and York Park & Ride ticket discounts available with York by Bus smartcard.

You can buy some bus tickets online and send them to your wallet in the First Bus app, to your email address or get them posted straight to your door. You can also buy longer-term tickets with direct debit subscriptions. Click here to buy your tickets.

Visit the iTravel bus & visitor information point (Bus Point) at the travel centre at York railway station for smart and paper bus tickets as well as route maps, timetable leaflets, travel advice and visitor information.

• iTravel, Bus Point, York Station, Station Road, York, YO24 1AB
• Opening hours - Mon-Sat 08:00-16:00

Revenue Protection Officers

Revenue Protection Officers will be conducting regular checks on our buses to verify that all passengers are traveling with a valid, correctly issued ticket. It is important to have a valid ticket or other proof of entitlement to travel for the entirety of your journey to prevent any fines from our Revenue Protection Officers. Click here to find out more.

FAQ's

Visit our FAQs page to learn more about contactless payments, tickets on the First Bus app and Tap on Tap off travel.