What happens if you forget to tap off on the GO?

Don’t Forget to Tap Off: Avoiding Unnecessary GO Card Charges

Using the GO card system for public transport is convenient, but forgetting to tap off at the end of your journey can lead to significant, and potentially surprising, charges. Failing to tap off can result in a penalty fare calculated based on the longest possible trip on the system. This means a single oversight could cost you considerably more than the actual fare for your intended route.

The reason for this seemingly punitive system is simple: it’s designed to prevent fraud and ensure accurate fare collection. Without a tap-off, the system has no way of knowing when your journey concluded. Consequently, it defaults to the assumption that your trip continued on to the furthest possible point on the network.

It’s crucial to develop a habit of tapping off at the end of your journey, just as you do when boarding. This simple act helps to:

• Avoid unnecessary charges: Prevent the accumulation of hefty penalties that could significantly increase your travel costs.
• Ensure accurate fare calculation: Your fare is calculated based on the distance travelled, so a complete tap-on and tap-off ensures the correct amount is deducted.
• Maintain account balance accuracy: Knowing your exact usage ensures you have a clear understanding of your account activity.
• Contribute to the efficient operation of the system: Accurate fare data is vital for the smooth running of the transport network.

Always use the same contactless payment method for both tapping on and off. This ensures the system correctly links your trip and calculates the accurate fare. If you use a different method, there might be a discrepancy that leads to incorrect charges.

Don’t let a small oversight lead to a large cost. Make tapping off as automatic and reliable as tapping on. By becoming more mindful of the tap-off process, you’ll save yourself money and contribute to the smooth operation of the public transport system.