Using a bus pass in London

Lifeforms

cathedralmouse wrote: »

Many thanks for all the replies in clearing that up! We already have our Senior Railcards registered to our Oystercards so should catch any savings available there. We'll just show our bus passes as we get on the bus. In Northumberland we touch them on a pad in a similar way to the Oyster cards, as we get on the bus. So many different systems throughout the country and it's different again for crossing the border into Scotland etc. It's just nice to know the procedure for London so that we don't look like the country bumpkins we really are!

You're not kidding with different systems! Going England to Scotland (or vice versa) with an english Bus card means just wafting it at the driver and waiting for a ticket to be programmed in. Locally even the town buses don't have touchpads for any of the bus pases so again waft at the driver. BUT on the proper Northumberland ones you touchpad it and it prints a ticket instantly.

Completely confused me in Cambridge last week, touch pad but no ticket. So first few times I waved at driver with a look of what do I do? Then wait for a ticket, oh no ticket.

When I used mine in London a few months ago I just showed my card to the driver and that was fine.

yangptangkipperbang

mrschaucer wrote: »

Yes, I can second what dzug1 says - Senior Railcard registered to your Oyster will give discounts on underground fares. Details on the Senior Railcard site (but they hide it well!)

If you renew your railcard you have to renew its inclusion on your Oyster card as well. Just hand them both over at a tube station booking office - takes a few seconds.

WickedWolfie wrote: »

You can use a national English bus pass at any time in London on those buses operated by/for TfL.

I think most (all?) of the limits on when bus passes can be used are imposed by the operator, not by the card issuer.
A route where I live has just been transferred from a local operator to First Group - can't use their buses before 09:30 :(

Marco_Panettone

Lifeforms wrote: »

You're not kidding with different systems! Going England to Scotland (or vice versa) with an english Bus card means just wafting it at the driver and waiting for a ticket to be programmed in. Locally even the town buses don't have touchpads for any of the bus pases so again waft at the driver. BUT on the proper Northumberland ones you touchpad it and it prints a ticket instantly.

Completely confused me in Cambridge last week, touch pad but no ticket. So first few times I waved at driver with a look of what do I do? Then wait for a ticket, oh no ticket.

When I used mine in London a few months ago I just showed my card to the driver and that was fine.

You won't get a ticket issued in London either (just in case there's any confusion!). Bus passes work like paper Travelcards - show the driver (and any inspectors, should you meet one) and get on with the journey. Enjoy!

spenderdave

And don't even try to swipe it, the driver then gets an 'unrecognised Oyster card' message that confuses him even more. The London system is incompatible with the swipe system used elsewhere (which my local buses now use and you have to swipe them).