Tap on Tap off Questions & Answers

What is tap on tap off?

Tap on tap off is a convenient way to pay for your travel on Centrebus services. You tap on at the start of each journey and tap off at the end of each journey using a contactless payment method (Visa/Mastercard payment card or device using Google Pay or Apple Pay). 

What area is covered by tap on tap off?

Tap on tap off is available on our services in Leicester and some parts of Leicestershire.  Tap on tap off charges the Standard Adult fare.  A fare cap is applied to journeys made within the Leicester zone, and are price capped to the Centrebus Day and Weekly fare, therefore, automatically giving a saving once these prices are reached.

What are the price cap levels?

The Centrebus Day ticket is capped at £5.20, and the Centrebus Weekly is capped at £19.

Where can I see what I have been charged?

You can access all your Centrebus card payment history by using the link to our payment service provider Little Pay.  This link will also show any price caps and savings that have been applied to your fares.

What about if I travel outside the Leicester zone?

For journeys outside of the Leicester zone or cross boundary services (100, 154 and 747) tap on tap off can still be used, but you are charged the standard Adult Single fare.  No cap is applied outside the Leicester zone and so it may still be cheaper to purchase a return or season ticket from the driver.

Can I use tap on tap off for the Leicester Flexi tickets?

Yes! If you also travel with First, Arriva, Vectare or Stagecoach, your fare will be capped at the Leicester Flexi Day £5.60 or Weekly ticket £21.50 price.

Will I get a price cap on the UHL Hospital Hopper service?

Yes, the Flexi Fare cap will apply and your fare will be capped to a Flexi Day or Flexi Week price, depending how often you travel. 

What happens if I forget to tap off?

You will be charged the standard Adult single fare to the end of the journey of the bus you travelled on.  You can access all your Centrebus card payment history, to see what you have been charged, by using the link to our payment service provider Little Pay. If you have a query in regards to the fare you have been charged, then please contact our Customer Services team on 0116 410 5050 or email us on help@centrebus.co.uk. 

Do I have to use the same card or device?

Yes, your payment history is linked to your card or device so make sure you use the same one each time you travel. If you have your payment method set up on your mobile through Apple Pay or Google Pay, please make sure you stick to one method.  If you switch to your card, it will be treated as a new payment method and you might not benefit from the price caps.

Can I buy multiple tickets?

Tap on tap off only works for one passenger travelling on a card.  If you wish to purchase a multiple of tickets, for example an adult and two children travelling together, then tickets would need to be purchased from the driver in the normal manner.  No cap is applied to these transactions.  It would be possible to purchase the child tickets first on a card and then tap on using the same card for the adult to travel with tap on tap off and potentially receive a price cap.

Are the prices for tap on tap off different to the fares on the bus?

No, the fare you pay is exactly the same as if you bought a standard Adult single ticket from the driver or purchased a Centrebus mTicket, price caps are the same as our Centrebus Season Ticket fares.

Does tap on tap off work for Young Person tickets?

The system is only designed for adult tickets. If you want to purchase a young person ticket, please ask the driver for the ticket you need and do not put your card on the reader until asked to do so.

My card was declined when I tried to use it, however, why did some money still came out of my account?

This is because you owe us money from a previously declined transaction.

How long does it take for my card to be unblocked?

It can take up to 48 hours for a card to be unblocked once the funds have been recovered from any previous transactions.

I’ve checked my payment history and I still need help, who do I contact?

Please contact the first bus company you travelled with for help.

Are Centrebus mTickets still available?

You can still purchase travel using our Centrebus mTickets through the Centrebus app. Please ensure that your devices NFC is disabled when presenting a QR code as this may accidentally activate a tap on tap off transaction.

Do I need to tap off if I am a concessionary pass holder?

No, there is no change to the concessionary pass scheme and holders just need to tap on as normal when boarding the bus.

Does tap on tap off work for the Leicester City Council half-price concessionary travel before 09:30?

No, the system is only designed for the full price standard adult fares.