Brits Express Trouble Underground With Apple Pay

The formal rollout of Apple Pay in the United Kingdom began last week. But there have been some issues with the mobile payment system’s platform in the country, and 9to5Mac noted Friday (July 17) that the mass transit London Underground has seen a few glitches.

As the site reported, the issues are tied to payment limits that are in place — to the tune of £20 through September, after which the limit increases to £30 — and also due to the fact that Transport for London will — in the event a device is not fully charged — in fact levy the maximum ticket price. And should an inspector not be able to verify entry stations or proof of ticket, a fine could transpire of up to £80.

In addition, according to the article, the transportation authority says passengers should pay with the same device at both entry and exit terminals. That is a specific instruction regardless of whether a device has the same credit card used across the Apple Watch or iPhone.

Other issues include problems with American Express cards not supporting a complete history of a journey, which in turn could have implications for ticketing (and payments). Service guides available from Transport for London offer instructions as to how riders should use contactless payments throughout their travels.

In fact, the Transport for London’s guidelines cover everything from setting up Apple Pay to how to use the system across several transport modes, ranging from the Tube to the bus to national rail systems that move beyond London’s own underground system. And American Express, according to 9to5Mac, has said the issues surrounding use of its cards with the London system should be resolved in the near term.



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