Full Breakdown
TfW’s Tap-and-Go Fare Promoted as “Best Value” Sparks Council Warning
By Drooid · · How we work
TfW Tap-and-Go Scheme Promoted as Best-Value Fare
Transport for Wales (TfW) has launched a social-media campaign, including a TikTok advert, that markets its pay-as-you-go “Tap-and-Go” system on the 27-mile Wrexham-Bidston Borderlands Line as offering passengers the “best value fare.” The scheme lets users tap a contactless debit card or smartphone to board and alight, charging the standard adult single-journey fare without the need to purchase a ticket in advance.
Council Concerns Over Concessionary Passengers
Flintshire County Council warned that the promotion does not explain that children, families, pensioners and other concessionary-fare holders are charged the full adult rate. Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson (Penyffordd) first raised the issue in July, noting that station signage fails to indicate that the system cannot apply child tickets, railcards or other discounts. He argued that the claim of “best value” is inaccurate for passengers who could travel cheaper through concessionary tickets. Fellow councillors echoed the concern, urging passengers to verify whether alternative ticketing options would be cheaper before using Tap-and-Go.
TfW Response and Planned Improvements
A TfW spokesperson acknowledged that railcard and concessionary discounts are not currently supported by the pay-as-you-go system. TfW also indicated it is exploring a pilot that would allow eligible National Railcards to be linked to pay-as-you-go accounts, and that child access may be added in the future pending further development. The spokesperson noted that the exclusion of free concessionary travel and family or group offers aligns with most other pay-as-you-go schemes nationwide.
Potential Impact on Passengers
If the current system remains unchanged, passengers eligible for reduced fares could incur higher costs by defaulting to the adult-fare Tap-and-Go option. Clearer signage and communication could help users identify cheaper alternatives, such as advance online tickets, multi-journey passes, standard ticket machines, or on-board purchases where Tap-and-Go is unavailable.
Next Steps
Flintshire County Council’s chief executive, Neil Cockerton, has written to TfW requesting new station signage that highlights the existence of cheaper ticketing options. TfW indicated that further details on the pilot railcard integration and other improvements will be announced in due course.