Buses not accepting cash

[Bic Basher]

On the 12 today, a couple got on with Oysters, one went green, the other went red. Driver didn't bat an eyelid and let them both board.

[Pugwash]

We keep a spare topped up Oyster card for when our 2 grandsons visit ( different times) they both live in Essex one is 17 the other nearly 20 so never had to worry about cash

[the-e-dealer]

So my 11 year old son looses his oyster card. Gets on bus with Money. Does he get home? Or left abandoned at a bus stop? Tell us that MR finf Livinston

[ultraburner]

As a couple of times a month bus user I have always paid in cash.

What is really crap is that there was next to no publicity about this change (no ads that I've seen) and considering London buses have always taken money since year dot. We had about 5 years notice our analog tv signal was going...

[the-e-dealer]

Once a few kids have gone missing they might see sense.

[Bic Basher]

the-e-dealer Wrote:

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> So my 11 year old son looses his oyster card. Gets

> on bus with Money. Does he get home? Or left

> abandoned at a bus stop? Tell us that MR finf

> Livinston

He should be offered a free trip under these changes.

[northlondoner]

Classic TFL bullshit . This merely reduces the options for paying to use their dirty malodorous unreliable buses.

Not everyone has or wants an Oyster card.

[the-e-dealer]

BB is that an opinion or do know this is a fact?

[rjsmall]

ultraburner Wrote:

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> What is really crap is that there was next to no

> publicity about this change (no ads that I've

> seen) and considering London buses have always

> taken money since year dot. We had about 5 years

> notice our analog tv signal was going...

I'd disagree with this - I think it has been very well publicised by posters at bus stops and on buses along with constant annoucements on buses for at least the past month. There have also been radio ads in the lead up to the change along with ads on the TfL website.

[Earl Aelfheah]

More surveillance state

[monkeylite]

Don't mind the no cash thing. But there should be more Oyster top up kiosks, and definitely one close by each and every bus stop. Sadly Tfl are run by a bunch of muppets, so this won't happen

[the-e-dealer]

And Oyster dispensers at bus stops. So if my son loses his he can get a new one.

[Bic Basher]

the-e-dealer Wrote:

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> BB is that an opinion or do know this is a fact?

It's a fact. As part of the changes, TfL have trained bus drivers to look out for who are considered 'vulnerable' passengers, these include children who can board without a Oyster card if it's lost.

It does mean that some will chance it, but this is the price for cashless buses.

[antantant]

Does anyone know what commission TfL pays shops to be Oyster top ups? My guess is, like they did with congestion charge, they next try to move away from people being able to top up in shops at all.

[Bic Basher]

antantant Wrote:

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> Does anyone know what commission TfL pays shops to

> be Oyster top ups? My guess is, like they did

> with congestion charge, they next try to move away

> from people being able to top up in shops at all.

I don't think it's that much if any. The incentive for the shop is increased footfall as the customer purchases goods from the shop in addition to their Oyster PAYG or travelcard. It's the same for those who offer Paypoint and Payzone which handle utility and mobile phone payments.

[the-e-dealer]

Thanks BB that s a relief. I wish tfl had told schools so we knew. I've been trying to work out another way for him to travel. Or I suppose I could stitch a spare card in his shoe. - but then comes the day he comes home with the wrong shoes!

[Bic Basher]

the-e-dealer Wrote:

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> Thanks BB that s a relief. I wish tfl had told

> schools so we knew. I've been trying to work out

> another way for him to travel. Or I suppose I

> could stitch a spare card in his shoe. - but then

> comes the day he comes home with the wrong shoes!

If the driver refuses to let your son board, make sure they get the details of the bus and then you can call TfL to complain. It's more likely they'll let him board if he's in uniform.

I'd still get the Zip card application in ASAP if he loses it mind.

[LadyNorwood]

If you haven't got an Oyster card, you can pay with a contactless debit card....

[the-e-dealer]

Unfortunately Most 11 year olds don't have debit cards.

[Bic Basher]

Another tip for parents with children who lose their Zip Oyster cards is to buy a couple of Oyster cards and put at least ?10 on them as spares. This will come in handy, especially for children who look older than they are.

[Bic Basher]

Another tip for parents with children who lose their Zip Oyster cards is to buy a couple of Oyster cards and put at least ?10 on them as spares. This will come in handy, especially for children who look older than they are.

Children aged 10 or under can travel still without any card.

[BrandNewGuy]

If you're worried about the 'surveillance state' don't register your Oyster card. To most of the horror stories played out here, the answer is, 'Don't forget your bus pass / Oyster card'. It seems to me that TfL have addressed the safety concerns well - any other circumstance is simply the passenger's misfortune.

[the-e-dealer]

So an 11 year old boy stuck at a bus stop miles from home is passengers misfortune. Great get a job in a caring profession bng.

[antantant]

Do other countries have contactless debit cards?

[Bic Basher]

the-e-dealer Wrote:

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> Unfortunately Most 11 year olds don't have debit

> cards.

And those under 16 won't be given a contactless card as they require offline authorisation.