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StarTap – EMV system

StarTap – EMV system

On Start Romagna’s buses now you can use another method of payment: StarTap!

What is it?

StarTap is the new payment method with contactless credit, debit, or virtualized prepaid cards on smartphones and smartwatches, which can be used with the new emerald green onboard validator that utilizes the technology.

How does it work?

To pay for your travel ticket, you need to approach the validator with your chosen card and then select the desired travel ticket: 1, 2, 3, or 4 zones. Once the procedure is complete, the validator emits a green symbol accompanied by an audible signal. The system does not provide a paper receipt.

Even if you tap the same card twice or repeat the procedure for any reason, the system recognizes it and does not charge the fare again.

In case of transferring to another vehicle, you need to tap again with the same card and the same device used before, and select the desired travel ticket. If you use a different card or device (e.g., first a physical card and then a smartwatch), the system will charge a new travel ticket, considering it as a new journey.

For more information, please refer to the FAQ section at the bottom of the page.

Which payment cards are accepted?

The system supports contactless cards from VISA, VPAY, MASTERCARD, and MAESTRO circuits. Please note that each card transaction is limited to purchasing tickets for a single passenger; one card, one passenger.

Attention, credit or debit cards from the VISA circuit can only be used with a physical card; virtualized usage on smartphones or smartwatches is not possible, regardless of the operating system.

For more information, please refer to the FAQ section at the bottom of the page.

How much does it cost?

The fare for travel tickets paid with StarTap does not include any fees; therefore, it is the same as purchasing tickets through any other sales channel. The fare for a ticket covering 4 zones or more is 4€.

The system requires a pre-authorization for MASTERCARD cards of 1,30 € and for MAESTRO cards of 12 €.

For more information, please refer to the FAQ section at the bottom of the page.

Any doubt?

Are you unsure if you have made the payment? Can’t recall when you validated? Do you need to provide the last four digits of the card you used for the payment to the checker? Click on the “info” button on the validator and then place the card you used near it. The system will display all the information you need: the validation time and the number associated with your card, with some digits hidden for security reasons. For credit cards, if checked, simply provide the last 4 digits of the 16-digit number. For other card types like debit cards, smartwatches, and smartphones, the system associates another 16-digit number that can be displayed by clicking on the “info” button, with some digits covered for security purposes.

StarTap is active in Ravenna, Rimini and Forlì-Cesena on the buses marked with the specific window decal

To travel with StarTap you just have to use your contactless card (or virtualized card on app / smartwatch) and “tap” that is to put your card near the reader in order to make the payment, that will be confirmed by the validator with a green light message and an acoustic signal such as “bip”.

For the tickets bought with StarTap the fare is the same of the purchase on land in the authorized selling point, so without any overprice.

The system is enabled for selling tickets for 1 to 4 zones. The user will be able to easily and intuitively select the travel ticket by tapping on the validator’s touch screen.

Every time you change the bus you have to “tap” again and select the same ticket using the same payment method as before: if the initial tap was for purchasing a 3-zone ticket using a smartphone, then the transfer tap must also be for a 3-zone ticket purchased with a smartphone. The system will charge a new ticket only upon the expiration of the time validity of the previously purchased ticket.

Travel tickets available and validity

Fares in effect from September 1, 2023

TICKET	FARE	VALIDITY	BEST FARE
1-ZONE	1,50 €	60 mins	3,00 € from the 3^rd tap
2-ZONE	2,50 €	75 mins	–
3-ZONE	3,50 €	90 mins	–
4-ZONE OR MORE	4,80 €	135 mins	8,00 € from the 2^nd tap

In the Start Romagna’s website there is a specific reserved area by clicking on this link, where the users can access to check the fares charged. The informations available are about the number of tickets bought (such as “Tap”) and the date when they were bought, while the charges can be aggregated.

It is good to remeber that the charges do not occur at the same time of the service’s supply, but they usually need some days to be elaborated and processed.

By checking your own check there will be a difference between the balancing item and the available item, that will realign once the payment is processed.

Do you want to use the new payment method StarTap? Follow these simple instructions
1. Before boarding the bus check to have a contactless card that operates on one of the following payment circuits: Mastercard, Maestro, Visa or VPay.
It is also possible to use smartphone or smartwatch as long as they are abilitated to NFC payment.
Watch out: 1 card = 1 passenger.

2. Put your card close to the green validator, next to the symbol img_contactless .

3. Select the ticket (1 or 2 areas) in regard at your travel.

4. Check that the system shows the confirmation message and makes the acoustic signal “bip”.

In event of verification
5. Just tell to the ticket inspector the last four digits of your card: thanks to the instruments at disposal it will be possible to check the validity of the ticket.

If you don’t remember when you started to travel
6. Click on the info button then put your card close to the green validator: the screen will show all the relevant informations.

Have you got other questions? Check the FAQ section here below

FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Can I use only this payment method?
No, this system does not exclude the usual validator for magnetic tickets, that can always be used. StarTapp adds the possibility to pay on board with contactless cards.

2. Which card can I use?
The system accepts the payment with contactkess credit, debit or prepaid cards, supported with contactless technology. If your card has the symbol img_contactless it can be used without any problem. This system accepts the phisical cards and the ones that are virtualized on smartphone, smartwatch or other similar instruments.

3. Can I use my credit card?
Yes, you can use your credit card if has the symbol img_contactless and operates on one of the payment circuit accepted.

4. Can I use my prepaid card?
Yes, you can use your prepaid card if has the symbol img_contactless and operates on one of the payment circuit accepted.

5. Can I use my bancomat card or debit card?
Yes, you can use your debit card if has the symbol img_contactless and operates on one of the payment circuit accepted.

6. Which cards are accepted by the system?
The system accepts the following cards:
• All contactless credit cards from MasterCard and VISA circuits;
• All contactless debit cards from VPay and Maestro circuits (the same ones used for ATM withdrawals);
• All contactless rechargeable or prepaid cards from MasterCard and VISA circuits.

ATTENTION – Postepay and VISA cards:
• Postepay cards issued by old-generation VISA are not accepted, while the system accepts new-generation Postepay cards.
• Credit or debit cards from the VISA circuit can only be used with a physical card; virtualized usage on smartphones or smartwatches is not possible, regardless of the operating system.

7. Which are the advantages of this payment system?
The main advantages are about confort and speed of usage: in fact, the clients do not have to think about buying the ticket before boarding the bus and have the opportunity to use their payment card as travel document. Moreover, this system does not establish any overprice fot buying the travel document on board, like it happened before.

8. Can I use digitalized cards? For exemple on smartphone or smartwatch?
Yes, the system was developed to make easier the payment process. It is important to use the same card in event of transshipment in order to use the possible remaining validity time.
ATTENTION: credit or debit cards from the VISA circuit can only be used with a physical card; virtualized usage on smartphones or smartwatches is not possible, regardless of the operating system.

9. What do I need to do in event of transshipment on another Start Romagna bus?
In event of transshipment during the validity time of the ticket, it is needed to “tap” again on the validator with the same card used before. The system willl not charge the ticket price if the “tap” is made during the validity time, otherwise if the tap is made after the validity time then it will be considered as a new ride.

10. What do I need to do in event of transshipment on another line licensed by Start Romagna and operated by another carrier?
The EMV ticket bought earlier on an enablied bus it is still valid also on the lines not operated directed by Start Romagna, obviously for the remaining validity time. The driver must let the user on board even if this one could not demonstrate the purchase of an EMV ticket. If the driver is equipped with a palmtop similar to the ones used by the ticket inspectors, he can ask to the user the last numbers of the card in order to check the validity of the ticket.

11. What do I need to do in event of transshipment on a not Start Romagna bus?
In this case the user has to purchase the ticket offered by the carrier. The EMV ticket has no validity in this case.

12. Are applied any commission?
No, the system does not charge any commission for the purchase.

13. Can I take part to the Italian Cash-back program with StarTap?
Yes, if the payment card used is abilitated, the purchases made take part to the Italian Cash-back program.

14. How can I check the fares charged?
In the Start Romagna’s web site there is a reserved area called Start&You where the user can access to check the fares charged i https://www.startromagna.it/start-you/
It is a good thing to remember that the charges are not made at the same time of the service supply, but usually it takes some days to process and elaborate the payments. By checking the personal account, there will be a difference between the balancing item and the available item: once the payment is processed, this difference will be solved. For techincal reasons at the moment it is not possible to view the payments made with virtualized cards.

15. How does it work in event of control?
In this case it is only needed to tell the ticket inspector the last four digits of the payment card used. By using the instruments at disposal, it will be possible to check the regularity of the ticket using just the last four digits of the card. This is the one and only information needed by the ticket inspector.

16. When do I get a fine?
There can be several cases in wich the user can be fined:
• When the user did not validate therefore has not a ticket;
• When the ticket inspector notices that the validity time of the ticket has expired;
• When the user is traveling on a multi-area route and has a one-route ticket.

17. I payed using my bancomat card, wich numbers do I have to tell to the ticket inspector?
Usually the bancomat cards, known as debit cards, does not present the usual 16 digits shown on a credit card. If your bancomat card presents the 16 digits, this means that it is a card enabled also as credit card: it will be needed to tell the ticket inspector just the last four digits in event of control.
If your card does not present the 16 digits, then in order to know wich number comunicate in event of control, you will need to click the info button on the validator and put the card close to it. The system will show all the information related to the card and the travel. You will have to tell the ticket inspector the last four digits of the number shown.

18. I payed by using a virtualized card on smartphone, smartwatch or other similar instruments. Wich number do I have to comunicate in event of control?
In event of control, when it is used a virtualized card in order to identify the number to comunicate to the ticket inspector it is needed to click the info button on the validator and put the card close to it. The system will show on video all the informations related to the card and the travel. It will be needed to comunciate to the ticket inspector the last four digits of the number shown.

19. What happens if I click the info button and then put the card close to it?
The system has a specific function to have informations about the card and the ticket. To access these information you have to click the info button and then put the card close to it: on the screen there will be shown informations such as the number of the credit card, with some digits hidden for security reasons, the start time of the travel and informations related to the ticket purchased.

20. I don’t remember when I started my travel, what can I do?
In order to know when did the validity of the ticket start and other informations you just have to click the info button on the validator and then put the card used close to it.

21. I recived a pre-authorization message for the payment. What does it mean?
The payment system has a method similar to the one used at the gas stations or for car rentals, therefore it can pre-authorize a temporary charge.
The amount of the pre-authorization it is not the total effectiveley charged, that will be calculated at the end of the day in relation to the use of the service, by applying the best fare.
The amount of the pre-authorization is:
• for MASTERCARD = the minimum value of the ticket that is 1,30 € for credit, rechargable or prepaid cards;
• for MAESTRO = a value of 12,00 €;
• for VISA = no pre-authorization;
• for VPAY = no pre-authorization;
The pre-authorization values reported before are the same also for virtualized cards and are related to the type of card used.

22. Wich data are recorded by the system?
The system respects scrupulously all the requirements and the security stardards requested for contactless payments therefore no data related to the card is recorded. .
The system is not able to determine the number of the card used, the name of the card’s owner or other sensitive informations.

23. Do I have to give the card to the ticket inspector in event of control?
No, the user has just to comunicate the last four numbers of the paymment card used and show it to the ticket inspector if asked. In any case the user does not have to give the card to the ticket inspector.

24. Can I use the same card to pay the ticket for other people that are travelling with me?
No, the system does not allow the purchase of more than one ticket at the same time by using the same card. It is possible to make more payments by using the same card on different devices: for example, the same card can be used on smartphone, smartwatch and phisically, so three tickets are purchased.

25. Do I have to sign in in order to make a contactless payment?
No, no registration or sign in is required. It is a good idea to sign in the specific area on the website to check charges and travels made.

26. How does the contactless payment works?
In order to make a contactless payment you just need to put your card close to validator. The system will show a confirmation message and will make an acoustic signal.
We remeber you that the calculation and the final charge happen a few days after the bus ride.

27. Is it normal to recive a payment alert when I did not take the bus?
Yes, it is normal. The fares for the rides made are usually charged a few days later.

28. Why my card does not function?
There can be several reason for a card to not function.
1. The card operates on a payment circuit that is not accepted by the system;
2. The card is insolvent: there are not money, it was blocked or other;
3. The card has expired its validity;
4. The card is blocked;
5. The card operates on an accepted payment circuit but it is not contactless;
6. The card has never been used contactless.
In these cases we suggest you to ask your bank for help.

29. My card is between those that are accepted, is contactless and has money in it. Why the system does not accept it?
This can happen if you use a credit or prepaid card that still has not been used contactless: the card is not accepted because it is still not able to make contactless payments. In fact to be able to make contactles payments, the card has to make a non-contactless payment with the PIN number in a POS.

30. Are there any chances that my card will be cloned?
No, there are not any cloning chance. Moreover, the secuirty on board is granted by the video surveillance.

31. I had some wrong charges. How can I get a refund?
For wrong charges you can contact the Start Romagna’s customer care service:
• E-mail servizioclienti@startromagna.it;
• InfoStart 199 115577;
• WhatsApp 331 6566555.

32. What happens if I don’t have any credit on the card?
If you have not got any credit on the card, this will not be accepted. S

33. How can I choose the right ticket?
In order to choose the ticket you just have to select the option on the validator’s touch screen after you put your card close to the validator.

34. If I put my vallet or my bag to the validator, does it automatically charge me the ticket?
No, the contactless payment functions only if you put the paymment card closer than 4 cm from the validator, therefore an accidental payment is not possible.

35. Is the transaction automatic when I put the card close to the system EMV?
No, once the card is put close to the system, the user has to select the ticket (1, 2, 3 or 4 areas). Only after this selection the system will charge the fare. When the purchase is correctly made on the validator it will appear a confirmation message with green light and will make an acoustic signal. Please note that in case the validator displays a “red” visual signal, it means that the card is not validated by the system, and therefore, the passenger is considered to be traveling without a valid ticket.

36. What happens if after I put the card close to the system I do not select the ticket?
If the user does not select the ticket (1, 2, 3 or 4 areas), the system will cancel the operation automatically after Se l’utente non seleziona il titolo di viaggio da una zona oppure da due zone, il sistema annulla automaticamente la transazione dopo qualche secondo. Sarà quindi necessario ripetere la procedura per acquistare il titolo di viaggio, avvicinando nuovamente la carta al sistema e selezionando il titolo necessario.

37. How do I know if I need a travel ticket for one, two, three, or four zones?
The travel tickets sold through the StarTap system follow the same logic as paper tickets. If you have doubts about the required travel ticket, you can check the “Find Zone” page on our website.

38. What happens if I purchase a one-zone travel ticket and while it is still valid, I buy a two-zone ticket?
In this case, the system will recognize the purchase of two different tickets. You will then have one single-zone travel ticket and one two-zone travel ticket, just as if you had purchased and validated two separate paper tickets. It is recommended to directly purchase the two-zone travel ticket in such a scenario.

39. What happens if I purchase a two-zone travel ticket and while it is still valid, I buy a one-zone ticket?
In this case, the system will recognize the purchase of two different tickets. You will then have one single-zone travel ticket and one two-zone travel ticket, just as if you had purchased and validated two separate paper tickets. It is recommended for users to directly purchase the two-zone travel ticket.

40. Which one-zone ticket should I choose if I am traveling within the Rimini area?

You don’t need to choose, as the system will automatically select the correct travel ticket based on the bus’s location.

41. How does the best fare work?

The system automatically assigns the customer the best available fare between a single ride and a daily ticket, based on their actual usage. On the third tap within 1 zone or the second tap within 4 zones (or more), always made with the same card on the same day, the daily fare is applied. Taps must be made after the validity of the purchased ticket expires and always use the same card or device, even when changing vehicles, to avoid the system considering each tap as a new journey.
Virtualized cards are different from the physical card they originate from, and they contribute to a separate tap count compared to the physical card.

42. How many taps are required to use the daily fare? What fare will be applied?

Taps must be made after the validity of each previously used ticket; otherwise, the system considers the tap as a mode change.

• On the third tap within 1 zone: €3,00
• On the second tap within 4 (or more) zones: €8,00

43. I used a virtualized card, which number should I provide to the checker?

The customer needs to locate the virtualized card number to be provided to the checker in the settings of the payment service used (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, etc.). Usually, it is a four-digit number preceded by asterisks.