Can I tap my phone to get on the bus?

Yes, you can generally tap your phone (using Apple Pay, Google Pay, or other digital wallets) on the bus ticket machine reader to pay for your fare. Ensure NFC is enabled on your phone, and use the same device for both tapping on (boarding) and tapping off (exiting) to ensure correct fare calculation and daily capping.

Can you use your phone to tap on a bus?

with a tap

A faster way to pay for your journey on tubes, buses and more in London. No more top ups or searching for your card. Simply wake your Android phone, then tap and go.

How do I tap the bus with my phone?

Tap & go™ on buses and trains with your phone

To pay on public transport, simply unlock your phone - no need to open the app*, then hold the back of your phone to the fare reader upon entry and exit. The blue tick appears and you are on your way!

Can I use my phone to tag on a bus?

Introducing contactless payments on public transport

There are now more ways to pay for AT buses, trains and most ferries. You can now tag on and off using your AT HOP card, contactless debit or credit card, smartphone or smart device. This excludes Fullers360 Waiheke and tourist services.

How does tapping on the bus work?

How to Tap On Tap Off. You can now Tap On Tap Off when buying adult fares in most of the areas we operate in across the country. To pay, just tap your contactless card or payment device on the driver's ticket machine & wait for the beep – no need to ask for a ticket.

How to pay contactless on bus

Can I use my phone for "tap on tap off"?

Which contactless cards can I use for tap on tap off? We accept Mastercard and Visa cards that display the contactless symbol. You can also use devices including smartphones and smartwatches that support Apple Pay and Google Pay.

What happens if you tap on a bus but don't tap off?

If you don't tap off the bus, you'll typically be charged the single fare to the very end of the route, which is usually the highest possible fare for that bus, rather than the shorter distance you actually traveled, leading to overcharging. This often means you miss out on fare capping and pay more than intended, but you can usually contact the bus company's customer service to get a refund for the overcharge. 

Can my phone act as a card machine?

iK Tap on Phone allows you to take payments without a card machine. Take your business on-the-go or use it as a back-up solution for when business gets busy. Which phones can tap to pay? Most smartphones support tap-to-pay functionality, using NFC (Near Field Communication) technology.

Can you do contactless on a bus?

Look for the contactless symbol on your credit or debit card to see if your card is contactless enabled. Then, board a bus with the contactless symbol and instead of paying with cash, simply tap your card or contactless-enabled device onto the reader and wait for the beep.

Can I tap my phone on a Go bus?

You can tap a credit or debit card on and off a PRESTO device to pay your GO adult fare. You can also tap your phone or watch if you have a credit or debit card stored in your mobile wallet.

Can I use Google Pay on the bus?

In general, using Google Pay will be the same as using pay as you go with a contactless payment card. You will need to touch in and out on rail services to pay the right fare and only touch in on buses and trams.

Is the Chalo app free?

Chalo is a free app that tracks buses live and provides mobile ticketing solutions for bus tickets and bus passes in select cities. So now, you never have to worry about your bus travel ever again. No More Waiting Aren't you tired of waiting at the bus stop for the bus to arrive?

Can I use mytransport on my phone?

For drivers, yes. This is available for download from the Play Store and Apple Store.

What is the penalty fare?

A Penalty Fare is an on-the-spot fare issued to anyone who does not have a valid ticket for their journey when they have had the opportunity to purchase one.

Is it cheaper to buy a bus ticket online or on the bus?

It's almost always cheaper to buy your bus ticket online or via the operator's app before you board, with savings on single fares and significant discounts on multi-day or monthly passes, as onboard purchases often incur a premium or require exact change, making digital booking more convenient and economical. 

What happens if you tap in but don't tap out?

If you don't touch in and out, we can't tell where you've travelled from or to. This means your journey will be incomplete and you will be charged the maximum fare.

How do I tap on and off a bus?

Just tap your card once on the ticket machine when you board, and once on the tap-off reader when you depart the bus. The tap off reader is located to the left of the door as you exit. Every time you use contactless, we will calculate the best fare for your journey so that you don't have to worry.

How do I turn my phone into Tap to Pay?

Set up tap to pay

1. Turn NFC on your phone.
2. Set Google Pay as your default payment app.
3. Add a contactless payment method. You must have a payment method in a supported country. Check the message above your card. ...
4. Set up a screen lock.
5. Your phone must meet the security requirements.

What is a snap scan?

SnapScan App. No need to carry cash, wait for the card machine or enter your card details with every online purchase. With SnapScan, you can use your smartphone to make payments, send money to friends and earn UCount Rewards Points. SnapScan is compatible with most bank cards, as well as the Standard Bank Virtual Card.

Can I use my phone instead of an RFID card?

Yes, most NFC-enabled smartphones can emulate RFID tags, acting as programmable digital identifiers for access control, payments, or asset tracking. However, compatibility depends on the RFID system's frequency and protocol.

Why do people tap off on buses?

Tap On Tap Off is the most convenient way to pay. There's no need to ask the driver for a ticket; just tap when you get on and off the bus and make sure you tap the same contactless card or device each time you tap. You'll only pay for what you use, with single fares calculated based on distance.

Is the 2 pound bus fare extended?

The UK's £2 bus fare cap, originally ending in 2023, was extended multiple times and eventually transitioned to a £3 cap in England (outside London) from January 2025 to December 2025, funded by the government to help with living costs. However, some regions, like Liverpool City Region and Telford, have stepped in with local funding to keep their specific £2 caps running longer, with Liverpool aiming for 2026, while the national scheme shifted focus to the £3 cap to support bus services long-term.