Rail passengers urged to check fares before using ‘tap and go’

Flintshire residents are being encouraged to check their rail fare options before travelling to ensure they are not paying more than necessary for journeys.

New pay-as-you go machines at stations now enable users to pay for travel using a contactless card prior to boarding.

While this method may provide a more convenient way for many users to travel “on-the-go”, it does not always offer the lowest available fare . This is because the machines charge the standard adult single fare, including to children and those who hold Railcards, so it is not inherently discounted, but it ensures you pay the best standard rate without pre-booking.

The Council is urging passengers to consider their options before travelling to avoid overpaying.

Following a motion passed by Councillors, Flintshire County Council’s Chief Executive has written to Transport for Wales to ask that new signage be installed at stations to inform passengers that they may be able to access cheaper tickets through other payment methods.

Councillor Glyn Banks, Cabinet Member for Waste and Transportation, said:

“Pay-as-you-go is a convenient option for many rail passengers, but it’s important that people understand it may not always be the cheapest choice. You could save money by buying your tickets in advance online or buying multi-journey promotional passes, or by using the standard ticket machines at stations or even paying on the train where they are not available.

“Importantly, pay-as-you-go cannot be used with a Railcard or to buy child or family tickets and it can’t be used to buy return tickets.

“Consequently, we’ve asked TfW to make it clearer for passengers when travelling as pay-as-you-go calculates the standard adult single fare for your tapped journey. We hope this issue can be addressed as soon as possible to ensure passengers are not disadvantaged.”