ScotRail Tap and Pay App

[dmncf]

I hadn't heard of this until I read this news article today titled "ScotRail launches Tap&Pay ticketing app"

https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/scotrail-launches-tapandpay-ticketing-app/68255.article)

UK: Following a six-month pilot scheme, ScotRail has launched a Tap&Pay pay-as-you-go ticketing app developed by Tracsis Rail Technology & Services using its Hopsta platform.

The app is initially available for travel on ScotRail services in the Strathclyde area and between Strathclyde and Edinburgh. If the deployment is successful, ScotRail will look to roll it out more widely...

At first, I wondered why they weren't just cracking on with contactless payment card payment, as exists in London and South Wales.

While ScotRail Tap&Pay doesn't have the simplicity of contactless payment card payment, I see it has an advantage of being able to handle Railcard discounts.

I can see this being a step forward in what seems to be called 'account based ticketing'.

 

[Bungle965]

I hadn't heard of this until I read this news article today titled "ScotRail launches Tap&Pay ticketing app" (https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/scotrail-launches-tapandpay-ticketing-app/68255.article). At first, I wondered why they weren't just cracking on with contactless payment card payment, as exists in London and South Wales. While ScotRail Tap&Pay doesn't have the simplicity of contactless payment card payment, I see it has an advantage of being able to handle Railcard discounts. I can see this being a step forward in what seems to be called 'account based ticketing'.

South Wales is working towards adding Railcards to their PAYG system and as I understand it the SWR scheme (Tap2Go) already accepts Railcard’s.

 

[FAIRTIQ]

It seems to effectively be an equivalent version of SBB CFF FFS's EasyRide or Rejsekort's/DSB's new app-based Check Ind. I think both of these are run by Fairtiq and I wouldn't be surprised if this is too.

It's just geolocation-based mobile ticketing, but EasyRide I know supports capping to daily regional tickets when I've used it.

We are not involved in the ScotRail project.

We are involved in Rejsekort (Denmark) - It went live nationally in September 2024 and covers the whole country for integrated Rail, Bus, Tram and Subway. In February 2025 it passed the 10 million journeys milestone.

We are also involved in SBB CFF FFS EasyRide - In a historic milestone for public transport, Switzerland saw more automated tickets (DPAYG) sold than traditional ticket machine purchases for the first time in November 2024. DPAYG (Mobile Digital Pay As You Go) has grown significantly, now holding about 20% market share for single tickets and day passes.

FAIRTIQ is also in Germany, France, Italy, Czechia, Austria and The Netherlands - Area of FAIRTIQ validity

 

[PG]

We are not involved in the ScotRail project.

Welcome to the forum , and thank you for your informative update.

 

[FAIRTIQ]

Area of FAIRTIQ validity

Area of validity - FAIRTIQ

You can use the FAIRTIQ app across the SBB network (Switzerland and Liechtenstein) and in many other regions in Europe. Check out the routes covered by the FAIRTIQ app!

fairtiq.com

 

[CyrusWuff]

Tried it yesterday. I'm not sure why they call it Tap & Pay given there's no tapping involved!

Starting a journey generates what is technically an e-ticket, but one that's only viewable in the app. That's used for access through ticket gates and Ticket Examiners scan it as well.

 

[Buzby]

Tried it yesterday. I'm not sure why they call it Tap & Pay given there's no tapping involved!

To get an accurate e-ticket, you do need to tap at the start and end points, if you don’t it will not use GPS to track your movement (tapping at the end stops the tracking).

This has the added complication than no barcode is generated and you are effectively ticketless!

 

[gladiac]

Tried it yesterday, came up with the correct ticket which worked when scanned on-board, a simple return journey. Started in the app but tapping on the readers didn't seem to do anything at either end (unbarriered stations), so running with GPS on for the whole journey is a bit of a battery draw.

 

[Buzby]

Started in the app but tapping on the readers didn't seem to do anything at either

The station readers have nothing to do with it! Even exiting at a barrier will not end the journey (as you may be continuing your journey from another station - between Queen St & Central for example). You need to start and end using the app, but since I use GPS quite a bit, I’ve not noticed much battery impact (as I’m running Bluetooth for my ’buds’.

 

[Breamish]

So, I used the train within Glasgow a lot over the weekend and thought I’d stick to using this app to see what happens.

Over the course of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I took journeys from Anniesland to Central/Queen street and back (sometimes getting on/off at Partick as a break of journey) and took one return journey to High Street (one stop further than QS).

The app gave me a weekly cap for Partick to Central/QS and charged for a return from QS to High Street for the one time I made that journey.

All in all it’s genuinely saved me money that I otherwise would have spent if I’d done my usual buying returns before boarding.

However, I cannot for the life of me figure out why it’s basically only charged me for a weekly ticket from Partick to Glasgow and not Anniesland to Glasgow - anyone know? I started and ended all my journeys correctly and I can see on my journey history that it shows Anniesland multiple times.

 

[BlueLeanie]

So, I used the train within Glasgow a lot over the weekend and thought I’d stick to using this app to see what happens.

Over the course of Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I took journeys from Anniesland to Central/Queen street and back (sometimes getting on/off at Partick as a break of journey) and took one return journey to High Street (one stop further than QS).

The app gave me a weekly cap for Partick to Central/QS and charged for a return from QS to High Street for the one time I made that journey.

All in all it’s genuinely saved me money that I otherwise would have spent if I’d done my usual buying returns before boarding.

However, I cannot for the life of me figure out why it’s basically only charged me for a weekly ticket from Partick to Glasgow and not Anniesland to Glasgow - anyone know? I started and ended all my journeys correctly and I can see on my journey history that it shows Anniesland multiple times.

Are you an OAP with a 50+ card loaded?

 

[Breamish]

Neither!

 

[Buzby]

I am, with a Railcard, and whilst the discounts are correctly applied, there are journeys that are even cheaper using the NEC/Saltire discount and purchasing at a ticket office. It’s quite a chess game working out the best value option.

 

[David M]

I am, with a Railcard, and whilst the discounts are correctly applied, there are journeys that are even cheaper using the NEC/Saltire discount and purchasing at a ticket office. It’s quite a chess game working out the best value option.

Does this not apply only within the Strathclyde area (maybe one of the Lothians as well)?
My Scottish Borders Council NEC card provides no rail discounts (nor does it permit Edinburgh tram or Glasgow subway use).

 

[Buzby]

Does this not apply only within the Strathclyde area

Correct, and only for journey’s wholly within that (sizeable) area. Only the Edinburgh Saltire provides inclusive Tram travel. It’s worth remembering the Glasgow (and associated) Council cards don’t offer free Subway travel (only a modest discount) so you’re not missing much!