London looks set to scrap cash fares on buses

Date: 16/4/2013

The British capital could be set to introduce a completely cashless system on its buses, a (TfL) Transport for London briefing discovered by the BBC's Sunday Politics programme have suggested.

According to the documents, TfL bosses are looking to cut queuing, increase the efficiency of services and boost safety measures - as well as cut administration costs.

And abolishing cash payments on buses is being touted as one of the most effective ways to achieve this aim.

Yet in spite of proposals that hint such a system could be introduced by the end of the year, there are fears surrounding the potential for a cash-free bus network to result in confusion and disruption.

As well as the difficulties that tourists could experience trying to adapt to the new payment methods, there are also concerns that late night travellers may be adversely affected if they are unable to use cash to pay for their night bus journeys.

Speaking to the BBC programme, TFL Managing Director Leon Daniels explained that physical payments are becoming less popular on the capital's buses.

"We are watching the market and the number of passengers who pay cash continues to diminish. There will come a time when it won’t be worth collecting cash any more," he said.

He later told the Evening Standard that while no definitive decision has been made in relation to London's bus fares, TfL is continuing to review travel trends relating to the growth of contactless payments.

The news comes shortly after TfL revealed that one million journeys have now been made on the capital's buses using the latest 'wave and pay' system, with an increasing number of new travellers taking advantage of the service each day.

And with plans to extend the contactless payment option to the Tube, DLR, London Overground and trams by the end of the year, TfL has also been looking at ways to implement the daily and weekly price capping of fares for those who use wave and pay.  

Posted by Sarah Bailey

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