Those who come to stay in one of our Tuscany villas – whether in one of our vacation rentals in Florence, holiday rentals in Pisa, villas in San Gimignano, or any of our other incredible properties and destinations – and are thinking about using public transport for at least some, or all, of their trip will be glad to hear that a new contactless payment system. Put into place to make getting about easier and more convenient, it was introduced to all buses and trams in Tuscany as of the 28th of March 2024 and allows you to hop on a bus or tram and pay with a single tap as well as giving you multiple options for how to pay.
You might be wondering: how does it all work? Well, never fear, we have a handy guide to answer all of your questions and leave you ready to jump right on the tram or bus as you explore the region during your vacation in Tuscany!
What payment options are now available for trams and buses in Tuscany?
Along with the Tabnet app, SMS, and traditional paper ticket options, those using buses and trams will be able to pay using the EMV contactless payment system, which allows travellers to tap upon boarding with a debit, credit, or prepaid card as well as digital wallets on smartphones or smartwatches. Debit cards, credit cards and prepaid cards from Mastercard, Visa, and American Express and devices enabled for payments can all be used.
What is the Visa, “free ride,” campaign?
As an extra bonus, in partnership with Visa, those who use a Visa card (whether this is physical or a digital copy on a device) from the 10th of April to the 5th of May 2024 will be able to ride for free via their, “free ride,” campaign.
How do I use the system?
To use the new system, all you need to do is hold your card or device by the validator that you will see upon entering the bus or tram and if a green LED lights up, you know that your ticket has been purchased and is valid for use. A red LED light, meanwhile, indicates that a purchase has not gone through and you may need to attempt your payment again or use a different card or device to try and pay.
How does it work if I am taking multiple buses/trams?
Only one ticket can be purchased with each card or device and if you are changing to another bus or tram, you will need to tap the same card or device again upon boarding the next vehicle. The system, however, will be able to recognise your card or device and that it was recently used. It will not charge for further tickets, therefore, if used within the time of validity of the first ticket purchase.
Will I be able to get a receipt?
Paper receipts are not issued but you can check purchases on the EMV website, accessed using your card details the next day.
What do I do if tickets are being inspected and I paid with a card or device?
If a controller asks to check your ticket, you just simply present the card or device that you used to pay.
So, as you can see, the new contactless payment system will actually make things much easier and more efficient for those who plan on enjoying a holiday in Tuscany and who are thinking about using the public transportation system in the region! Plus, if you book your villa in Tuscany with us, our team is always on hand all throughout the booking process and your vacation itself to make your trip as convenient and enjoyable as possible.
