Travelling around Cardiff by train may not sound like a cost-effective option, but one writer for Wales Online discovered a way to save a significant sum of money. By utilising the new Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) system offered by Transport for Wales (TfW), the writer managed to explore the city for a fraction of the standard ticket cost. With the ability to tap in and out using a card or phone at ticket barriers, the writer embarked on seven train journeys, including a trip to Newport, for a total fare of only £5.90 through PAYG. This proved to be almost £7.90 cheaper than the standard ticket prices, showcasing the potential savings for travellers in Cardiff.
The introduction of the PAYG system, already used for over 150,000 journeys since its launch in November, offers a convenient way to pay for train travel similar to tapping on and off buses. This innovative approach to ticketing provides commuters with daily and weekly fare caps, preventing them from exceeding a predetermined spending limit within a certain timeframe. Commuters using the South Wales Metro area, spanning from Bridgend to Newport and Barry Island to the Valleys, can access PAYG, where travel costs vary based on zones akin to the London Underground’s fare system.
By opting for PAYG over traditional tickets, passengers can benefit from cheaper fares, such as a £5.40 charge for a journey between Cardiff Central and Newport as opposed to a £7.40 ‘anytime return’ ticket. The flexibility of PAYG also extends to daily and weekly price caps, with travel within Zone 1 capped at £5.90 per day and £17.70 per week. Despite the complexity that may deter some users unfamiliar with such systems, the convenience and affordability of PAYG make it an attractive option for frequent train travellers in Cardiff.
During the writer’s day of train exploration, tapping in and out of stations within Zone 1 allowed them to surpass the daily cap of £5.90 without incurring additional charges. The ease of tapping out at the end of a journey, even without ticket barriers at certain stations like Cardiff Bay, demonstrates the user-friendly nature of the PAYG system. With support from experts like Professor Mark Barry, who emphasises the system’s role in streamlining train travel and reducing entry barriers for passengers, PAYG appears to be a promising development for enhancing the overall commuter experience in Cardiff.
Transport for Wales’ Chief Commercial Officer, Alexia Course, affirms the company’s commitment to delivering fast, convenient, and cost-effective ticketing solutions through PAYG. With the implementation of tap on, tap off technology at 95 stations across South Wales, TfW aims to uphold its promise of facilitating smoother and more accessible train journeys for passengers. By embracing innovative payment methods like PAYG, Transport for Wales is paving the way for a more efficient and user-centric approach to rail travel in the region.
In conclusion, the writer’s experience navigating Cardiff via train with the PAYG system highlights the potential for significant savings and enhanced convenience for commuters. As Transport for Wales continues to expand and refine its ticketing options, including the rollout of PAYG across the South Wales Metro area, passengers stand to benefit from a more seamless and cost-effective rail travel experience. Whether tapping in and out at stations or enjoying fare caps for daily and weekly journeys, PAYG represents a step towards modernising and improving the public transport infrastructure in Cardiff.