Is checking in and out with your contactless debit or credit card cheaper than buying a ticket from the bus driver? (2024)

FAQs

Is checking in and out with your contactless debit or credit card cheaper than buying a ticket from the bus driver? ›

Is checking in and out with your contactless debit or credit card cheaper than buying a ticket from the bus driver? Yes, checking in and out with your contactless debit or credit card is cheaper than buying a regular ticket from the bus driver.

A contactless credit card/debit card looks and acts much like any other credit or debit card. The main difference is it contains an embedded chip that emits electromagnetic waves that can be read by a contactless-enabled payment terminal/card reader when the card is placed near it.

The standard cost of your journey is the same as a journey using your OV-chipkaart (public transport chip card) without a discount or subscription.

NXWM (get used to that acronym!) now accepts contactless payment on all its buses. A day ticket is £4.50 using contactless or £4.60 using cash - note that NXWM buses have an exact fare system and drivers do not give change. Number 2 above has given details from Birmingham airport to city centre.

Just like with a normal Chip and PIN transaction, your contactless payment can be declined if you don't have enough money in the bank to cover the amount. It may also be declined if you've used contactless many times during the same day.

Because contactless payments require neither PIN nor signature authorisation, lost or stolen contactless cards can be used to make fraudulent transactions.

You can use a contactless card as many times as you like within a day so long as each purchase is under £100. Just bear in mind that you may be asked to use chip and PIN after using contactless a few times in a row. Don't worry, it's just an extra security measure to check it's you making any payments.

Once TfL announce the official launch, simply use your debit card as a ticket by touching your card in and out at the ticket gate when you get on and off the train, DLR or touch once when boarding a bus or tram and TfL will work out your journeys at the end of the day, where you will be charged an adult pay as you go ...

Instead of paying with cash, you can pay contactless by placing your card on the blue contactless reader. Simply ask the driver for the ticket(s) you require and let them know you wish to pay contactless, wait for the driver to select this on the ticket machine then present your card to the reader for payment.

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.

Is contactless payment better? ›

Safer transactions

Tap-to-pay technology is more reliable and secure than other forms of payment. The chip technology protects you against any fraudulent purchases through encryption and dynamic data technologies.

Make sure you have enough money in your account before you make a contactless payment.

HM Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) confirmed changes to its rules to allow for the contactless limit increase to £100 in March 2021. The FCA also confirmed the threshold for multiple contactless transactions before a customer is required to enter their PIN will also rise from £130 to £300.

Quicker transactions and shorter queues at the checkout are the most significant advantages of contactless payment. Handling cash is not a concern at the checkout. You also don't have the hassle of punching in your PIN.

Contactless is a payment method you can use to make purchases by simply holding your card against a card reader at a point of sale. It can be used to make purchases below €50. These limits may differ in different countries. The card uses a secure radio signal, known as Near-Field Communications (NFC).

Look for the contactless symbol on your credit, debit or pre-paid cards.

The first time you use your contactless card for a transaction, you'll be asked to use chip and PIN or sign for your purchase. Once you've done that, all future transactions can be contactless. You need to hold your card very close to the reader (around 2 – 4 centimetres) for it to work.