Tap On, Tap Off – Starts on 12th July 2026
1 month ago
Who is it for?
Tap On, Tap Off is ideal for anyone making a single journey or multiple journeys on East Yorkshire Buses throughout the day or week. It automatically works out the best value fare for your travel, so you don't have to think about which ticket to buy.
How does it work?
Simply tap your contactless card or payment device on the driver's ticket machine when you board the bus, then tap off using the reader located by the exit door when you leave.
You don't need to tell the driver where you're travelling, and there's no need for a paper ticket. This helps make boarding quicker, easier and more convenient for everyone.
Which contactless cards can I use?
You can use all Visa, Mastercard and Maestro contactless credit and debit cards, including most contactless cards issued overseas.
Pre-paid contactless cards can also be used, provided there is enough credit available.
You can also pay using:
- Apple Pay
- Google Wallet/Google Pay
- Contactless smartphones
- Smartwatches
- Other supported contactless wearable devices
Unfortunately, American Express is not currently accepted.
How do I know what I'll be charged?
Tap On, Tap Off automatically calculates the best available daily or weekly fare for the journeys you make.
At the end of each day, the system reviews all of your journeys and charges the lowest applicable fare based on the fare zones you've travelled in.
You can view your journey and payment history at any time by logging into the customer portal via the East Yorkshire Buses website or app. You can either create an account or continue as a guest using the payment card you travelled with.
Do I need to register my card first?
No.
You can simply board the bus and start using Tap On, Tap Off straight away with your contactless card or payment device.
If you'd like to view your journey history and payments online, you'll need to register or access the customer portal.
Can I use more than one bank card?
Yes, but to benefit from daily and weekly fare capping, you must use the same contactless card or device for every journey during that day or week.
If you switch cards or devices, your journeys won't be linked together and separate fares will be charged.
How close do I need to be to the reader?
Simply place your card or payment device on, or just above, the ticket machine reader until you hear the confirmation beep.
Can I use a device instead of a bank card?
Yes.
Tap On, Tap Off accepts payments made using:
- Apple Pay
- Google Wallet/Google Pay
- Smartphones
- Smartwatches
- Other compatible contactless wearable devices
If you later wish to view your travel history online, you'll need to register using the physical bank card linked to your digital wallet.
Who is Tap On, Tap Off suitable for?
Tap On, Tap Off is designed for adults purchasing:
- Single tickets
- Day tickets
- Weekly tickets
Who isn't it suitable for?
Tap On, Tap Off is currently not suitable for:
- Child fares
- Group tickets
- Promotional or discounted tickets purchased from the driver
- Return tickets that cost less than the daily capped fare
These tickets will continue to be available as paper tickets and can still be purchased using cash or contactless payment.
If you're buying a paper ticket, you do not need to tap off.
What happens if I forget to tap off?
If you forget to tap off, you'll be charged the single fare to the end of the route.
If your journey appears in the app as "Incomplete Journey", please contact Customer Services using the contact form on our website or call 01482 592929 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:30pm).
Please have the following information ready:
- Date and time of travel
- Route number
- Direction of travel
- Where you should have tapped off
- First six and last four digits of your bank card
- Card expiry date
- Or, if using Apple Pay or Google Pay, your four-digit Device Account Number.
What happens if I present more than one card?
If the reader detects more than one contactless card, it won't know which one to charge.
The machine will alert the driver, who will ask you to present just one payment card or device.
Please note that if your concessionary pass or smartcard is stored alongside your bank card, the ticket machine may detect the concessionary pass first.
How will payments appear on my bank statement?
Payments will appear as charges from East Yorkshire Buses.
You may occasionally see more than one transaction in a day, but the total amount charged will never exceed the applicable daily fare cap for the zones you've travelled in.
In some cases, particularly if you're a new customer, using a new card, or haven't travelled with us recently, your bank may display a temporary pre-authorisation.
This is completely normal and usually clears within 24 hours, although it can occasionally take longer at weekends or during bank holidays.
If your bank declines payment, the card used will be temporarily prevented from being used on East Yorkshire Buses until the outstanding payment has been successfully collected.
My card has stopped working
If your card has previously worked but is now being declined, it's usually because an earlier payment was declined by your bank.
Although your journey may have been accepted at the time of travel, the payment itself may have failed later during processing.
When this happens:
- An unpaid fare remains on your account.
- Your card is automatically added to a temporary deny list.
- Once the outstanding payment has been successfully collected, your card is automatically removed from the deny list.
How do I pay an unpaid fare?
Our automated payment system will attempt to collect any unpaid fare from your bank up to four times during the 30 days following your journey.
Sometimes payment can also be collected automatically the next time you tap your card on one of our buses.
If your card remains on the temporary deny list, you may be asked to pay using another method until the outstanding balance has been recovered.
If payment is eventually successful, the charge may appear on your bank statement up to 30 days after you travelled.