FirstGroup has announced that it will use technology which merges the swipecard and the debit card, to directly take the fares from passengers’ bank accounts rather than needing, like the Oyster, a trip to the booking office or website to top up.

“FirstGroup has been slow coming to the table on this but what we wanted to do is get the future proof technology right,” said Giles Fearnley, who became FirstGroup bus chief earlier this year. “This card gives genuine pay as you go. It will enable us to market personalised fares, to tailor pricing and offers, and reward regular users”