I tried the app/QR code for my commute on Wednesday and it was borked both ways. In the morning the QR code is wouldn’t load at all, with the app claiming there wasn’t any internet connection. Luckily I got on a bus that didn’t even have the new readers installed.
The way home wasn’t much better with the app generating a code to tap on, but then being unable to tap off since the code was now invalid.
That being said, I saw a lot of people tap on and off with cards without issue, so it seems that part is working well - it’s unfortunate that you seem to need to use the app to get the auto top-up discount or to get a travel concession.
Yeah I don’t understand the faux outrage here, but maybe that’s because I’m not in a parasocial relationship with these influencers.
I always wondered how Honey made any money, so this answers that question and is actually a pretty ingenious (if somewhat underhanded) mechanism.