Ridacards can now be topped up in shops

Thousands of Lothian Buses passengers are now able to ‘re-charge’ their Ridacards at dozens of additional Capital locations following a major partnership deal.

The new link up means Ridacard customers can now top-up their existing smartcards for unlimited travel at almost 150 outlets – including newsagents, convenience stores, supermarkets and off-licences.

It follows a deal struck between Lothian Buses and PayPoint, one of the UK’s leading branded national networks for collecting ‘over the counter’ payments. PayPoint previously allowed customers to pay for their gas, power and phone bulls, as well as to buy mobile phone top-ups.

Iain Coupar, Lothian Buses marketing director said: "Our partnership with PayPoint means more convenience for our passengers especially those who pre-purchase their bus travel on a Ridacard.  We hope initiatives like these will stimulate non bus users to use public transport. The convenience of having sales outlets within so many local shops will hopefully encourage more bust use."

More than 60,000 people have Lothian Buses Ridacards. The council-owned company predicts 100,000 people will be using them within five years.

In March, Lothian Buses announced a rise in passenger numbers of almost 25 percent in seven years and said it was on course to carry 100 million people for the first time since 1990. Last year, 99 million passengers used one of Lothian Buses’ services, a rise of four percent on the previous 12 months.