Passengers travelling by bus with Southern Vectis will find it even easier to pay – following the introduction of Tap On, Tap Off technology.
The bus operator is offering the payment system to ensure customers get the best possible ticket prices for the journeys they make across the Island.
It comes as an extension to the existing contactless payment and is said to be ideal for those making single or multiple journeys in a 24-hour period.
Richard Tyldsley, Southern Vectis’ general manager, says:
“Passengers boarding our buses can simply tap their card or mobile device on the ticket machine with the driver – and then tap off via the new special electronic reader when they leave. The system charges either for a single fare, or the same price as an adult 24 hour Rover – depending on how many times they have travelled.
“There will be a daily cap for the amount they will be charged – which will be the same price as an Adult 24 hour Rover ticket. There is no need at all for a paper ticket.”
Offering the payment system is just one example of Southern Vectis’ mission to enhance the services it offers to local people and those visiting the Isle of Wight.
Richard adds:
“On-board USB chargers for smartphones and devices have been available for many years, as has contactless payment for Apple and Android – including wearable devices like Apple Watch.
“We expect the new Tap On, Tap Off method of payment to be hugely popular – particularly when more people are travelling with us now lockdown has ended, and it’s ideal for holiday makers too. It’s all about making bus tickets easier”.
Well I’m going to start paying by cash again now that “covid ” Vectis have relaxed all the face mask and social distancing rules. I’ll be using the bus tomorrow and will be very interested to see if the driver is still ” protected ” from the rest of us behind a perspex screen.
why shouldn’t he be??
Because that would be a case of ” one rule for them and another for the rest of us “.
So what happens if you tap on and forget to tap off, you will get charged the full daily ticket price, how lucrative for southern vectis.
Maybe they should get drivers trained on how to use the mirrors on the busses 1st had 1 today just after 10 am put out on me when i was overtaking it in sandown
Perhaps some basic road sense from yourself is needed then. Overtaking on the approach to junctions is never a good idea
I wasnt at a junction .He was parked when i tried to overtake he just pulled out
I tested this feature out, from Cowes to Carisbrooke and back. My bank statement showed a £10 charge, does that sound about right?
For a few weeks recently, you could sit up at the front on one side slightly behind the driver, but now since mask wearing and social distancing is no longer compulsory, that area is blocked off again so you can’t sit there. Why is that?