Freeflow

Freeflow is here!

Freeflow is a convenient way to pay for your bus travel using contactless payment.

Simply “tap on” the driver ticket machine at the start of each journey (when you board the bus/coach) and “tap off” at the end of each journey using a contactless payment method (Visa/Mastercard payment card or device using Google Pay or Apple Pay).

The price will be the same as buying an adult single paper ticket on the bus.

The total you pay each day automatically caps to the price of a day ticket for the area that you travelled in, if this is less than the total cost of the single fares. Capping will only work properly if you use the same card or device for all journeys in a day.

This system will help reduce boarding times too, which is great for speeding up bus journeys.

To use Freeflow, there's no need to register or sign up. Just board the bus using your card or device to “tap on” - and don’t forget to “tap off” when you exit.

Looking for your journey and fare history?

You can quickly and easily check your travel and payment history by selecting "Contactless Journeys" in the Carousel app, or at the top of this page.

How do I use Freeflow?

	1. Tap on When you board the bus, simply place your card or device on the ticket machine reader at the front of the bus, wait for the beep and the screen will display “Accepted”. You don’t need to tell the driver where you’re going.
	2. Tap off When you leave the bus, “tap off” at the exit reader and the screen will display “Accepted”. If the reader is not working, you can still tap off using the driver's ticket machine.
	3. Journey history You can quickly and easily check your travel and payment history by selecting "Contactless Journeys" in the Carousel app, or at the top of this page. You can also manage your different cards. Journey and payment history is available for 1 year.

Who can use it?

Freeflow is perfect for: 

Adults who would like to buy one or more single tickets, or a day ticket from the driver on Carousel services.

Freeflow is not currently suitable for:

• Return tickets
• Child tickets
• Discounted tickets, such as CitizenCard or Herts SaverCard
• Family tickets
• Weekly tickets
• Tickets valid for travel on other bus companies
• Through fares from one route to another. 

These are still available on the bus as paper tickets and you can still pay for these using contactless payment devices or cash - just ask the driver. Please don’t “tap off” when you buy paper tickets.

Ticket capping

Freeflow day caps allow you to travel anywhere within the specific zone in a single day. Your fare will be automatically capped to the cost of a day pass for that zone.

Zone A day cap - £4.70
Zone B day cap - £6
Zone C day cap - £5.20
Zone A/B day cap - £6.50
Zone B/C day cap - £7.20
Zone A/B/C day cap - £9.50
Carousel Network day cap - £12

Frequently asked questions

Is it just for adult fares?
Yes. For discounted, child or family tickets please continue to buy a paper ticket from the driver, or use the app or the key.

Does this work on all Carousel services?
Yes, Freeflow can be used on all Carousel services.

Can I pay for two or more people?
No, you can only use your card/device for one person per journey when travelling using Freeflow. You can still continue to buy a paper ticket for multiple passengers and pay by card.

Will I get a ticket?
When you use Freeflow, you won't receive a ticket but you can check your journey history and the fares charged online at mytrips.uk.littlepay.com/go-oxford. You'll need to enter your card details so we know it's you, but you won't be charged. If a revenue protection inspector boards the bus you will need to present the card you used to make payment for inspection.

What happens if I forget to “tap off”?
You will be charged the single fare to the end of the route, so always remember to “tap off” in order to pay the correct fare. If you do forget to “tap off” and are overcharged as a result, please log in at mytrips.uk.littlepay.com/go-oxford, where you'll be able to view your journeys and request that the charge is reviewed if necessary. You'll need to enter your card details so we know it's you, but you won't be charged. Note this must be done within 90 days of travel. If you don't have access to a web browser to do this, please email us at [email protected].

What happens if I can’t “tap off”?
Please log in at mytrips.uk.littlepay.com/go-oxford, where you'll be able to view your journeys and request that the charge is reviewed if necessary. Note this must be done within 90 days of travel. You'll need to enter your card details so we know it's you, but you won't be charged. If you don't have access to a web browser to do this, please email us at [email protected].

Why can’t this be used by all passengers?
We are looking to develop the system further in the future to cover return tickets, child fares, other card issuers and services operated by other bus companies.