Go-Ahead Group launches UK-first contactless season ticket

The Go-Ahead Group, has announced a groundbreaking enhancement to its contactless fare system: customers can now purchase a season ticket onto their payment card in Google Wallet, without the need for a separate barcode, smartcard or paper ticket.

This innovation, developed in collaboration with Google and Littlepay, builds on the success of Go-Ahead’s earlier collaboration to integrate real-time fare capping and ride history into Google Wallet.

The feature is being piloted on Brighton & Hove Buses, where half of all bus travel is paid for by contactless payment. Now, for the first time in the UK, customers with season tickets can enjoy the same seamless contactless experience as pay as you go users on Google Wallet.

This technology allows season ticket holders to replace barcodes and physical tickets using their Google Wallet, bringing together the flexibility of contactless travel with the value and convenience of season tickets.

Go-Ahead will be rolling out this software across its regional bus operation.

Kanwar Brar, Go-Ahead’s Chief Digital and Information Officer, said: “This development reflects Go-Ahead’s ongoing commitment to innovation, accessibility, and customer-centric transport solutions, making public transport smarter, simpler, and more inclusive for everyone.”

Jonathan Hill, Head of Transit Partnerships, Google Pay added: “Enabling users to buy monthly tickets adds a further layer of convenience to the ability to track pay as you go spending and progress towards daily and weekly travel caps within Google Wallet. Now users can make quick, easy and secure payments with a Google Pay tap, and keep informed of their spending for both pay as you go and season tickets in Google Wallet.”

Sheryll Ricketts, Head of Solutions, Littlepay said: “It is fitting that the operator launching Littlepay and Google’s latest innovation is part of the Go-Ahead Group. Brighton & Hove Bus passengers once again lead the way as the first to access prepaid Tap On/Tap Off ticketing directly from their Google Wallet. Thanks to the collaboration, shared ambition and commitment from all the teams, we continue to deliver greater convenience to passengers through their digital wallets.”