Why North Wales rail passengers should check before tapping in
North Wales rail passengers are being advised to compare fares before using Transport for Wales Pay As You Go. The contactless system is convenient, but it does not accept Railcards or sell child, family, return or Advance tickets.
Before you tap
- Railcard discount
- Not available
- Child or family tickets
- Not available
- Incomplete journey charge
- £10
- No tap-in penalty
- £20
What tapping in buys
Pay As You Go calculates a standard adult single fare for each tapped journey. TfW describes the result as the best-value fare available through its contactless system, but that does not mean it is cheaper than every ticket sold elsewhere.
Flintshire County Council says a child or Railcard holder could pay more by tapping than by buying the appropriate discounted ticket. A passenger able to book an Advance fare, buy a return or use a multi-journey promotion should compare the price before travelling.
The council wants clearer signs
Flintshire councillors passed a motion that led the chief executive to write to TfW. The council is asking for station signage explaining that contactless payment may not be the cheapest choice for every passenger.
How to avoid an extra charge
Passengers using Pay As You Go must tap in and out with the same physical card or device. TfW says failing to tap out can trigger a £10 incomplete-journey charge, while travelling without tapping in can lead to a £20 penalty charge.
The practical rule is to compare before the journey, especially for children, Railcard holders and groups. Pay As You Go remains useful for a standard adult journey within one of TfW’s contactless areas, but it is not a universal cheapest-fare guarantee across every ticket type.