National Express West Midlands has confirmed it will roll out contactless payment across all of its routes during 2018.

The system will be introduced alongside daily fare-capping, reminiscent of London's Oyster card scheme, to ensure that those who take several buses during a day do not run up a huge bill of single fares.

The company also currently operates the Midland Metro, where customers have been able to use contactless cards to buy tickets on trams since June 2016. More than two-thirds of passengers say they like it because it’s quicker.

Company bosses say the initial roll out faced a hurdle, trying to maintain a link for the debit card readers as buses travel about the region. However they're confident this has now been overcome. Regular commuters are also assured that bus passes, 'Swift' cards and cash will still be accepted for those who prefer to pay in those ways. Adam Rideout, the company’s head of customer experience, said:

“We want to make it easier, make it quick and make it simple for passengers to travel on our buses. But we will still also take cash as we always have for those who prefer to pay that way.”