First has started accepting Bristol’s independent currency in the city.
The move is a major coup for the currency and First is one of the biggest businesses in the city to start accepting the notes.
First has signed up as an associate of the scheme, which is run as a not-for-profit partnership between Bristol Credit Union and Bristol Pound Community Interest Company.
Since Monday, September 16, anyone travelling on First buses has been able to pay for their journeys starting and stopping in Bristol using Bristol Pounds. Any change is paid where possible in Bristol Pounds, although it is most likely to be in sterling.
Customers can also use Bristol Pound’s ‘Txt2Pay’ service in First’s travel shop in the city’s bus station, using it to pay for day, week and monthly First tickets.
MD for First in West of England, Paul Matthews said: “We believe we are the first bus company in the UK to sign up to join a local currency scheme so this represents an exciting time for us.
“Before we signed up we’d had a few requests from Bristol Pound users for us to accept the currency on the buses, mainly asking us through our Twitter account if we’d consider it.
“They recognised, as did the people behind the Bristol Pound, that having the money accepted on buses gives the scheme an added level of visibility.
“We are pleased we’ve followed through on this.”
