What happens if you forget to tap out on a London bus?

Consequences of Forgetting to Tap Out on a London Bus

When using London’s contactless payment system for buses, it’s imperative to tap both in and out. Failure to tap out leaves your journey incomplete and triggers significant consequences.

Charge Implications

Skipping the tap-out process results in the system charging you the maximum fare for your journey, regardless of the actual distance traveled. This often translates to a higher fare than you would have paid had you tapped out correctly.

Rectifying the Issue

To resolve the issue, you can create or log into your Transport for London (TfL) account. Once logged in, locate the ‘Account’ section and click on ‘Journey History’. Here, you can view a record of your recent journeys and dispute any overcharges resulting from forgotten tap-outs.

Importance of Tapping Out

Tapping out plays a crucial role in ensuring accurate fare calculations. It allows TfL to determine the exact distance traveled and charge you accordingly. Without a recorded tap-out, the system assumes you traveled to the end of the line, resulting in the highest possible fare.

Conclusion

To avoid unnecessary fare penalties, it’s essential to remember to tap out on London buses. By creating or logging into a TfL account, you can rectify any overcharges caused by forgotten tap-outs and ensure accurate fare calculations in the future.