Buses in Reading have now followed the London trend of the ‘tap on tap off’ way to purchase travel, but local residents have mixed views on the matter.

The new scheme was introduced to Reading’s transport on Wednesday, November 1.

Customers can now use contactless payment to ‘tap on’ at the ticket machine and then ‘tap off’ at the reader by the exit rather than buying a physical ticket.

In light of this, The Chronicle spoke to members of the public about their views on the new way of paying for bus fares.

Mr Neil Whannell said: “It’s not a good thing, everything is becoming cashless. I had an argument the other day at the cinema because they weren’t taking cash anymore.”

He continued: “This is the reason why the banks are closing. Nothing is face to face anymore.”

Reading Buses’ Chief Executive Officer Robert Williams has reminded customers that they can still pay by cash, smartcard, app, or ask the driver for a specific journey if they wish.

The Chronicle also spoke with Malwina Sobczak who said: “If it’s a quicker and more helpful system, it’s a good thing.”

She continued: “But some people like doing things in an old-fashioned way. Everything is contactless now, so I guess it’s a plus and minus situation.”

Amid this news, Reading buses have also launched an All-Bus day ticket for £3 if customers use the ‘tap on tap off’ payment method, an offer that stands till the end of the year.

Ginny Smith told The Chronicle that she thinks the new system is a good idea. “It’s so much easier to just pay on your phone rather than having a ticket loose in your pocket.

“I don’t even carry a bank card with me anymore, I just use Google Wallet – it’s great!”