Santander has devised a new payments app for users of Transport for London's cycle hire network.
The Santander Cycles App for Android and iOS smartphones is free to download for both members and casual users. In addition to viewing the nearest docking station and bike availability, the new App is able to send a 'bike release' code straight to a user's phone, which means they can hire a cycle without having to use the docking station terminal.
All customers need to do is register with their bank card, use the App to 'hire now' from a nearby docking station, and just tap the code into a docking point to release a bike for use.
Santander took over sponsorship of Tfl's cycle hire network in February, replacing former sponsor Barclay's blue bikes with its own red and white livery.
Nathan Bostock, CEO, Santander UK, says: 'We're absolutely committed to growing and developing Santander Cycles together with TfL by making more bikes available, providing more docking stations and offering extra benefits in future to give Londoners and visitors to the Capital the best possible experience.
The network is the second-largest cycle hire scheme in Europe, and since it was introduced in 2010, around 40 million journeys have been made using the bikes. Usage of the scheme rose by a quarter last year and is at a record high, with more than 10 million journeys made in 2014.