Vaporatto Pass: Validate Once or Each Trip?

Confirming Nigel's response - we were there in March and can confirm that the pass must be swiped each time you enter the vaporetto, so get used to looking for the machine as you approach the stop as we sometimes walked right by it and had to run back to find it.

Nigel, my recollection is that one only needs to touch the pass against the reader to get a green light. Am I remembering correctly?

one only needs to touch the pass against the reader to get a green light. Am I remembering correctly? Yes, that's right - flat against the reader and get the green light. A gentle tap does it.

You should only have to validate it one time. It expires 72 hours from the first use so no need to keep re-validating. Donna

Validation puts a time stamp on the ticket so that when checked by the conductor he can see if the ticket is valid within the time period.

Electronic scanners are now used for vaporetto tickets, and you must scan the pass each time you board a vaporetto. The first scan will start the 72 hour clock running, and the subsequent scans will demonstrate that you have a valid pass.

Sorry folk, I disagree with EDIT: first two posts. Another has come whilst I was writing and one has changed. I believe they were thinking train - yes on a train you do put the ticket in the yellow stamper and only stamp it once. The question, though, is about vaporetto 72 hour passes. The procedure is really different for the vaporetto. The pass has a chip in it and it MUST be swiped on the reader (which looks sort of a white clock) which is just as you reach the waiting area at the end of the approach to the dock. It MUST be swiped before getting on every boat, many times it will open an electronic gate. It must turn the light green or its not good or hasn't been swiped correctly. There are inspectors who sometimes man the gates, sometimes check some peoples' passes and tickets on the boats, sometimes everybody's, and sometimes can't be found for love nor money (T-I-I)(This Is Italy). What I can say is if you haven't got a ticket or pass when they check there will be a big on-the-spot fine. There is exactly the same fine, and they will enforce it, for having a pass, a perfectly good pass, which has not been swiped correctly for the journey. They have a device which they can swipe the pass against which tells them the history of when and where it was swiped. I've been on dozens of vaporetti over the years and I have seen these guys in action many times. (I was always legal, if you're wondering).