Article updated 18/4/25 with additional photos.
Final tests are set to get underway on a “Tap on, Tap Off” payment system on the Edinburgh Trams network as the operator seeks to make it even easier to pay for travel. The system is in the final stages of testing and a launch date will be announced soon to allow the public to get the benefits of using their contactless payment method to pay for travel. As part of the publicity for the launch 271 has received a new full wrap.
The system has been developed in collaboration with payment provider Flowbird and is the first project of its kind in Scotland. “Tap on, Tap off” (or “ToTo” as its been called in publicity) will make sure that passengers only ever pay the best value adult daily fare while enjoying seamless integration with Lothian Bus Services.
Managing Director of Edinburgh Trams, Lea Harrison, said: “Following the successful launch of services to Newhaven in 2023, we’re continuing to invest in technology to make trams an even more attractive proposition for both residents and visitors.
“This has included the replacement of 10-year-old tram stop validators to enable contactless cards to be securely accepted, and new hand-held devices for our staff to check that customers have ‘tapped on’ before boarding.”
The new system will calculate the cheapest fare based on the number of journeys made and then debits the card in the early hours of the following morning. There is also a weekly cap based on the number of trips taken over a seven-day, Monday to Sunday, period. These caps work in conjunction with the bus operator, meaning that caps will apply across Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams services, ensuring that passengers no longer need to purchase a day ticket from the bus driver or the tram stop ticket machine.
The one major difference from contactless payment on the buses though is that users have to tap off when using the tram at the platform validator when they reach their destination. This will ensure they only pay for travel on sections of the tramway they have actually used.
Lea added: “The cutting-edge technology requires extensive testing before it becomes fully operational, but we are now just weeks away from it being rolled out across the network.
“When the system goes live, it will mark another milestone for Edinburgh Trams, the city, and its world-class public transport network.”
A major publicity drive has been introduced for the launch and that includes 271 which has received a full wrap. This is actually the fourth full wrap that this particular tram has carried and marks a return to a green livery – its first wrap for OVO Energy was also green (October 2023-February 2024). Since then its been full wraps all the way with designs for Breitling (February-June 2024) and Mappin and Webb (June 2024-April 2025). Before that it had been partial ads for Qatar Airways (January-July 2018), Tiso (July-September 2018) and Parabola My Edinburgh Park/Edinburgh City Vision 2050 (September 2018-October 2023).
The advert is mostly green with the “Tap-on, tap-off” wording and with it using the phrase “ToTo” a picture of a dog too!
271 waits for service at Gogar Depot. (Photograph by Nathan Burns, 11th April 2025)
One end of 271 is seen here with more detail of the advert which asks us to just “Tap and Glide”.
Toto the dog (Tap-on, Tap-off – ToTo of course!) wants us to use the new system as well – or at least he will when its launched!
The complete advert is seen in this final view as 271 runs along Princes Street on its way to Newhaven. (Photographs x3 by Roy Calderwood, 17th April 2025)