Accidental evasion on bus

[randomout37]

Good afternoon,

My local bus operator (Whippet) have introduced a new tap on tap off ticketing system, today was my first time using it. I tapped on with my card and tapped off, but just after leaving the bus I realized i may not have pressed my card down hard enough for it to register - and I have not yet been charged.

I'm wondering what I should do - ought I identify myself to the company and tell them I think I haven't paid, or wait to see if I receive a notice/etc?

 

[Bletchleyite]

These schemes generally just charge the maximum fare for the journey if you don't tap on/off but did tap at the other end rather than going the way of penalties and the likes. Which at the moment is £2 (unless Whippet aren't in, but I think they are). So I'd not worry.

If you didn't tap at all they don't know who you are.

Typically the charge is applied overnight, so it'll likely be there tomorrow.

 

[skyhigh]

If you mean you tapped in but are unsure you tapped out correctly, you will simply be charged a maximum fare to the end of the current route (which I'm guessing will be capped at £2).

A lot of operators just validate the card once and then process the actual payments at the end of the day around midnight so you wouldn't see anything yet in that case. This allows daily capping to work.

Even if you didn't tap in correctly it's highly unlikely you will hear anything at all further.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Feb 2024 ==

If you want, you can have a look at what info they hold on taps via this link - https://whippet-coaches.littlepay.com/whippet-coaches

 

[Sultan]

If it is anything similar to London's Oyster card, you would be charged a maximum fare for an 'unfinished' journey (or 'unstarted', in your case). Then you would either accept it or call their helpline to say where you started your journey and it would be adjusted.

Whether Whippet are as advanced at this I don't know. Probably best to review your account, and respond to any correspondence you might receive. Unlike the railways, I'm not aware that bus operators (not TFL) have powers enshrined in law for travelling without a valid ticket.

 

[randomout37]

Thank you all - I just get a bit panicky over these things so this is reassuring. Have a lovely day!

 

[GusB]

Good afternoon,

My local bus operator (Whippet) have introduced a new tap on tap off ticketing system, today was my first time using it. I tapped on with my card and tapped off, but just after leaving the bus I realized i may not have pressed my card down hard enough for it to register - and I have not yet been charged.

I'm wondering what I should do - ought I identify myself to the company and tell them I think I haven't paid, or wait to see if I receive a notice/etc?

Whippet's website has a frequently asked questions page here:

Always pay the best-value adult fare

www.whippetbus.co.uk

What happens if I forget to tap out?
You'll be charged to the last stop on that route, which may cost more than the fare to where you got off.

There also a link to the Littlepay site that allows you to check your journey history; you could always use this if you wanted to make sure that you have been charged.

As explained above, it's likely that that the transaction will be processed at the end of the day so that any other journeys can be taken into account.

 

[Busaholic]

Far from evasion, you've probably inadvertently secured yourself a surcharge!