(More) Pop Card Questions/Queries/Complaints
Hi All,
When the mayor announced her capped travel fares, I was delighted (thank you Mayor Kim). I rarely use the Metro due to me not living near a station, but thought I'd get hold of a Pop PAYG Card as it offers me the ability to jump between buses and the Metro.
It arrived in the post with the credit pre-loaded and I used it on its maiden journey between Seaton Delaval to Sunderland and back a couple of weeks ago. I was delighted at the capped travel cost of £5.
Not quite believing it, I decided that same night to top it up with another £5 just to be safe.
Issue #1 - the balance has not appeared on my card and I had absolutely no idea it had not done so. It was only this afternoon whilst trying to get one for my wife, that I noticed. Looking at it, a message states, "You need to load this product onto your smartcard before travelling. You can do this when you touch in at a Metro station validator or ticket machine (and at a gate if you have bought a PAYG top up)."
Does this mean that next time I tap the card, the balance will automatically transfer or do I need to do something special?
Issue #2 - My balance on my online account is currently showing as "Current Balance: £-1.20".
I have absolutely no idea why or how. My card history on the app only shows the taps on my journey to Sunderland back in April. Is there a monthly fee for having the card? I have only used the card once for a trip to Sunderland and all those journeys were conducted within the same day (i.e. before midnight that day).
I'm not overly worried about the stray £1.20 change, but just a little perplexed!
I hope to use the card again this coming Wednesday to get from Seaton Delaval to Central and I plan to take the bus to Haymarket and then hop on the Metro down to Central (large cases in tow, otherwise I'd walk!).
Thank you for your help and advice.
J