Tourist dispute over Florence bus fare goes viral

A tourist visiting Florence turned to Reddit to tell a story that left them angry and confused: after boarding a city bus, they tapped their phone at the validator, saw the green light, and assumed the fare was paid. Minutes later, however, inspectors issued a €43 fine, claiming that on their system no payment was registered.

According to the traveler, a friend who was with them had the same problem several times before a successful tap was finally recorded. Rushed by the inspectors’ behavior and unable to quickly show a bank statement, they ended up paying the fine and missing a connection to another bus. The episode was described on the r/florence community and immediately drew a wave of comments.

Frustrations and advice from locals and visitors

Many people explained that the problem is not so much whether a payment has been made, but whether the passenger can prove it immediately. If the transaction has not yet appeared on the inspector’s device or on the passenger’s phone, the fine can still be issued.

Others pointed out that payments through Apple Pay or Google Pay sometimes take time to appear in the wallet, and that the “virtual” card numbers used by these systems differ from the physical card. This can make it harder to show proof if you do not know where to look in the app.

Several users said they avoid stress by buying paper tickets at newsstands or tobacconists and validating them on board. Others prefer using the official transport app, which issues a digital ticket that must be activated before boarding.

There was also practical advice on how to behave during inspections: stay calm, open the wallet or ticket app straight away, and be ready to show the details. Losing time or arguing, some said, only makes the situation worse.

AT’s official rules for contactless travel

According to the official guidance published by AT, the local transport operator, the “tip tap” system requires passengers to validate every time they board a bus or tram, and on some suburban or fast lines also when they get off. A green light and beep on the validator confirm that the payment has been registered, while a red screen means the purchase failed. Each device can only cover one passenger, so groups must either use multiple devices or buy tickets through the AT Bus app.

The company also reminds users to always use the same card or device for an entire journey and explains that receipts and payment records can be checked at emv.at-bus.it, although access to that portal usually requires at least one purchase made with the physical card connected to the phone or smartwatch.

A system still in transition

The thread highlighted a larger issue: while Florence is trying to modernize its public transport with contactless technology, reliability and clarity remain a challenge. Tourists are especially vulnerable, since they may not know the procedures or the technical differences between physical and digital cards. Commenters agreed on one point: once the fine is paid, getting a refund is very difficult.

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