I think I read somewhere that the buses in Rome now are equipped with a tap-to-pay option (with your credit card) on board buses.
I have a slightly older RS Rome book that does not describe this option; does anyone know?
It would be very nice to board the bus and pay on board as we go, rather than pre-purchasing tickets at stands, etc.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
6451 posts
Posted by
OP
Minneapolis
232 posts
That's great! Thank you for your prompt reply and the excellent link--everything you need to know!
Posted by
USA
787 posts
I seem to remember posts about not being able to validate bus tickets in Rome in the past, leading to people being ticketed. Do you think Tap and Pay will resolve this or is it possible the machines won't accept the tap? I've only walked or used Uber in Rome on previous trips, but will want to use buses/metro on my next trip since I'm staying in Testaccio so this is helpful information.
Posted by
Vignola, MO, IT
755 posts
I've used the tap and pay on several different visits the past two years with no problems. Sometimes difficult to reach the machine due to the crowded bus but that has been the only difficulty.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
17443 posts
Sometimes difficult to reach the machine due to the crowded bus but
that has been the only difficulty
Right; here's a previous thread where a poster (Nancys8) highlighted that particular issue. She also stated that every adult had to use their own phone/card; you couldn't tap multiple people on the same phone/card for the same ride. I don't know if that has changed (quick scan of ATAC link says that's still true) or if it would be an issue for you, Suzanne?
Editing to add: I'm curious how that system works with children too old to ride Rome public transit free (over age 9) but aren't carrying around a credit/debit card or a cell phone linked to one? I wouldn't think that would be an unusual situation. Buy them one-day or multi-day passes?
Posted by
OP
Minneapolis
232 posts
I would be using an actual credit card, and my husband would use his own card .
We are using the bus 2-3 times on the day we walk the Appian Way , mainly to make our way home with a stop at Baths of Caracalla.
We might like one on another day to get home from the Church of San Clemente vs. 40 minute walk.
We’ll do a combo metro/bus the day we day trip to Tivoli gardens (both coming and going) .
I am assuming these particular bus routes are not overly crowded—but I don’t really know? I’d really like to use the service if possible