What about people who generally don't use public transport but need to on occasion? Are they meant to have a card topped up for something they don't use for some infrequent journeys? Crazy idea. Really hope it doesn't roll out across the rest of the country.
Totally agree. I just want to get on a bus ang go, not arse about putting no ey in a pot for infrequent journies. Really shot idea
The idea of not taking cash was introduced to speed up the buses, from my experience, buses are slower due to passengers taking their own sweet time getting on and off buses, ringing the bell for the next stop when they don't want it, not having their Oysters or freedom passes ready when getting on the bus, and visitor's getting on buses just to ask for directions or inane questions (despite all bus stops giving very good info on where the bus is going, and most having extensive maps)
The main reason why buses are slower is due to traffic congestion, namely cars. However, having a cashless system eliminates the driver needing a float of cash, which can be a problem if everybody want to pay with notes.
Oysters and travel cards are easy enough to buy in London.
I have an Oyster card for emergencies and I don't even live in an Oyster zone.
I had to go to Grays from Lakeside last week and I must admit it was a lot slower as people paid their fare with money but I still think you should have the choice though. As I said elsewhere, a lot of times I have been on the bus and even though people have paid on their Oyster, the card sometimes does not read this on the reader or the chip inside can be corrupt which makes it not work properly. How many people are going to be stranded at goodness knows where unable to get home because they can't pay by cash?
I had to go to Grays from Lakeside last week and I must admit it was a lot slower as people paid their fare with money but I still think you should have the choice though. As I said elsewhere, a lot of times I have been on the bus and even though people have paid on their Oyster, the card sometimes does not read this on the reader or the chip inside can be corrupt which makes it not work properly. How many people are going to be stranded at goodness knows where unable to get home because they can't pay by cash?
I had to go to Grays from Lakeside last week and I must admit it was a lot slower as people paid their fare with money but I still think you should have the choice though. As I said elsewhere, a lot of times I have been on the bus and even though people have paid on their Oyster, the card sometimes does not read this on the reader or the chip inside can be corrupt which makes it not work properly. How many people are going to be stranded at goodness knows where unable to get home because they can't pay by cash?
There would be blood on the streets if Ensign went cashless . I travel to and from Grays via Lakeside most days and see so many people without the right fare or who want to pay with a note or who just want a bit of a chat and they all hold up the bus.
And, invariably, they're also the ones who complain the loudest when the bus is late.
Most buses have contactless terminals now anyway - even Ensign - so implementing a contactless system nationwide really wouldn't be a massive undertaking. If they integrate the card top-ups with the paypoint payment system then there would be very few reasons why a person couldn't top a card up.
When everyone gets onto a bus in quick fashion until the person who pays with cash (and preventing others from getting on), it's easy to see the benefit of removing cash on buses. The overwhelming majority of people now use Oyster cards, it shouldn't be difficult for the remainder to move over and hopefully it won't be too problematic for organised tourists.
There may be an issue with using contactless debit cards, taken from a London bus forum:
"looking at the terms and conditions on my card it says you may still have to use the pin occasionally, how does that work on a bus?"
Someone (sorry cant remember the name) explained this to me on this forum. Some or most contactless cards there is a limit to how much contactless paying you do either a certain amount or a certain amount of touches, you might want to find out from your bank as once the limit is reached you will have to verify your pin when paying (this stops someone stealing your card and having a shopping spree) I've had it on my bus where the contactless card does not work and that is because the user has to pay for something at a shop and use there pin to enable the contactless again.
Already seen two people turned away by a bus driver for not having an Oyster or any other form of payment other than cash.
Did feel sorry for the driver as he had to explain to the occasion user that money may be legal tender, but not on a bus.
Not surprised really. Despite the publicity, you'll almost invariably get a few people who won't have a clue what's going on. Bus passengers in general tend to have their collective heads in the clouds most of the time
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Totally agree. I just want to get on a bus ang go, not arse about putting no ey in a pot for infrequent journies. Really shot idea
Am so sorry, was multi tasking and forgot to spell check my post.
The main reason why buses are slower is due to traffic congestion, namely cars. However, having a cashless system eliminates the driver needing a float of cash, which can be a problem if everybody want to pay with notes.
Oysters and travel cards are easy enough to buy in London.
I have an Oyster card for emergencies and I don't even live in an Oyster zone.
It's already started.
https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/connect/
This thread is about those who don't take the bus that often being made to add to the mound of plastic they already have
Get a taxi? Use their debit/credit card?
You can't set up auto top up if you only use buses. You have to make a chargeable journey from a specific station in order to set it up.
There would be blood on the streets if Ensign went cashless
And, invariably, they're also the ones who complain the loudest when the bus is late.
Most buses have contactless terminals now anyway - even Ensign - so implementing a contactless system nationwide really wouldn't be a massive undertaking. If they integrate the card top-ups with the paypoint payment system then there would be very few reasons why a person couldn't top a card up.
Not anymore.
Not everyone has a contactless debit card - I don't.
"looking at the terms and conditions on my card it says you may still have to use the pin occasionally, how does that work on a bus?"
http://www.tangytango.*********.com/thread/8394/using-contactless-on-buses
Lol. Talk about amatuer dramtics.
There is only 1 fare. It was £2.40 cash and £1.45 Oyster.
Here is the list of contact less cards they can use without getting oyster
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/fares-and-payments/contactless/what-is-contactless?intcmp=8610
One fare allowed you to go to any zone?
Yes. 1 Stop or 100 stops. It doesn't matter. Anyone who paid £2.40 cash was completely mad.
Did feel sorry for the driver as he had to explain to the occasion user that money may be legal tender, but not on a bus.
Not surprised really. Despite the publicity, you'll almost invariably get a few people who won't have a clue what's going on. Bus passengers in general tend to have their collective heads in the clouds most of the time