Transport for Wales confirms expansion of contactless ‘tap in, tap out’ payment system
Transport for Wales is introducing its contactless tap in, tap out ‘Pay As You Go’ payment option to the Ebbw Vale line from Monday 18 March.
The expansion of the system follows the success of a pilot that was launched in January on journeys between Cardiff Central, Newport and Pontyclun.
The extension of the scheme from next week means that a total of 11 stations will be taking part in the roll out.
By the end of the year, TfW aim to expand the option to all 95 stations across the South-East Wales Metro.
Turn up and go technology
South Wales is the first UK location outside of London where passengers on a rail network can use this turn up and go technology, which allows customers to travel without buying a paper or digital ticket.
To use the system passengers tap their debit/credit card or smart device (phone or watch) on the new Pay As You Go ticket barriers or yellow platform validators at the start and end of their journey.
Pay As You Go fares are typically cheaper than current fares and are capped at a daily and weekly level to offer the best value for customers.
Alexia Course, Chief Commercial Officer for Trasport for Wales said: “We’re continuing to move forward with our ‘Pay As You Go’ payment option and I’m pleased that we’ve extended it to the Ebbw Vale line adding on an additional 8 stations.
“We’ll continue to expand throughout this year, making it easier for customers, improving their experience and attracting more people to use public transport.”
For more information visit Pay as you go travel | Transport for Wales (tfw.wales)
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No thanks, I refuse to become a digital slave! I’ll stick with How it’s been done forever. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Convenience Destroys Freedom! The problem is how it’s only ever the Pros on show, while ignoring the Cons.
Can you enlighten us with a list of cons, including the evidence? I’m genuinely interested to know.
Discriminates against some people. For example disabled railcard holders must buy the more expensive paper ticket because contactless won’t give them their discount.
That seems like something thats fixable and not a reason to stay in the dark ages?
Well, I don’t won’t every aspect of my life to be online, and connected to something that can be taken advantage of. Wait until They connect Smart Fridges to the same system as your payment for food. The government will literally be aware of what you spent your money on and if the food in your fridge don’t match what was spent, they’d be sanctioning you. Just you wait, call me a conspiracy theorist if you’d like, but as I stated before, Convenience is rarely truly convenient. The deeper you look into something the more dystopian it is. On top… Read more »