MSE News: London buses to stop taking cash this summer

iAMaLONDONER

Tuareg wrote: »

Oh how I laughed at that!

Its what happens when you allow TFL to become an abusive monopoly.

Sadly I'll have to agree with you. It's a shame that London buses will no longer accept legal tender( however I know this isn't TfL breaking the law).

It's a real shame that the Evening Standard has been notably quiet on this issue. They made a real fuss when Westminster Council wanted to introduce evening and weekend parking fees, subsequently leading a successful campaign which even led to a couple of resignations at WC over the issue!

giraffe69

I and others will be forced to carry an Oyster Card on the off chance that we might need to use a bus. What happens if your card stops working? are you going to get left stranded it 2am? where can you top up at unsociable hours?

What is the problem with carrying one? Don't use one and use a contactless card if you prefer. If you are on autotopup you never have to worry about it running short of funds. You are no more likely to be stranded at 2a.m. than if you ran out of cash.
If you need to reclaim fares then couldn't you print out from Oyster?
I don't live in London so don't use my card every day or week or even month but regard it as the only sensible option for when I am around and getting excited about a deposit of £5 which you can get back anyway is pathetic.

There are NO benefits to the travelling public for this.

Quicker on OMO buses as no waiting around for correct change, fiddling for money.
Cheaper ticket price.
Lower costs (fewer conductors, removal of cost of carrying cash/change plus security) therefore less pressure on fares. Now wait for the "all the extra money will go on TFL executives fact finding trips to the Bahamas.

Amazing how many dinosaurs are members of this forum.

wealdroam

iAMaLONDONER wrote: »

Not if you factor in the oyster deposit!(for a one-off single/return journey)

Have you forgotten already that the Oyster card deposit is refundable?

It is mentioned at least twice in this very thread.

iAMaLONDONER wrote: »

Sadly I'll have to agree with you. It's a shame that London buses will no longer accept legal tender( however I know this isn't TfL breaking the law).

What has legal tender got to do with it?

Legal tender only has meaning when considering debt payments through the courts.

iAMaLONDONER

wealdroam wrote: »

Have you forgotten already that the Oyster card deposit is refundable?

It is mentioned at least twice in this very thread.



What has legal tender got to do with it?

Legal tender only has meaning when considering debt payments through the courts.

I was talking about upfront costs and for long term users you won't return the oyster to get the deposit so TfL effectively charges £5 for the mere privilege of owning an oyster.

Also TfL will have to except legal tender for payment of Unpaid fare notices

iAMaLONDONER

Tuareg wrote: »

You used to get a free oyster card when buying a weekly or above travel card. I took the opportunity to top up with a free Oyster cards as it was obvious that some sort of deposit would have to be taken as it was too easy to go into debit and throw the card away and get a free new one.

I have "one or two" no-deposit unregistered Oyster cards for special occasions

The oyster deposit was introduced to protect TfL from the risk of people racking up a maximum fare and negative balance then disposing of the card and then getting a new oyster and doing the same thing

iAMaLONDONER

Lara44 wrote: »

I'm so annoyed about this. TFL should exist to serve Londoners, and Londoners should not be slaves to technological systems. What happens if you lose your purse on a night out? No Oyster card, no contactless card - no safe way to get home? It is a stressful and expensive city to live in already, thanks to TFL for making it much worse by abolishing cash despite the verdict of the public during the "consultation process". Plus the upcoming ticket office closures - another Boris U-turn.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/cashless_buses

It also seems the savings are mere estimates...

wealdroam

iAMaLONDONER wrote: »

It also seems the savings are mere estimates...

Of course the savings are 'mere estimates'.

They are savings expected to be made in the future.

iAMaLONDONER

wealdroam wrote: »

Of course the savings are 'mere estimates'.

They are savings expected to be made in the future.

TfL haven't published how they came up with those figures. I tend to take TfL PR with a large pinch of salt ( I.e TfL/Boris saying both the cable car and cycle hire would be of no cost to the public purse!

G_Model101

Can bus drivers refuse to take notes at the moment?
I got on the other day and my Oyster had nothing on it so I tried to pay with £20, which was all I had. The driver told me that I needed £5 and that what I had was no good. Eventually he relented and let me on for nothing. I was willing to pay and I asked people if anyone had change but it was just the usual blank faces and no one wanting to put themselves out.

Anyone know what the procedure is if the driver doesn't have enough change?

cosmojohnson

G_Model101 wrote: »

Can bus drivers refuse to take notes at the moment?
I got on the other day and my Oyster had nothing on it so I tried to pay with £20, which was all I had. The driver told me that I needed £5 and that what I had was no good. Eventually he relented and let me on for nothing. I was willing to pay and I asked people if anyone had change but it was just the usual blank faces and no one wanting to put themselves out.

Anyone know what the procedure is if the driver doesn't have enough change?

Tfl say:

Paying by cash
If you try to pay a bus fare using a £10, £20 or £50 note, it's unlikely that the bus driver will have enough change and you won't be allowed to travel. The bus fare is cheaper if you use an Oyster card or contactless payment card instead.