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Post by rambo on Apr 18, 2013 22:13:30 GMT
I think it would just lead to more delays and arguments at peak times I'm afraid. I think we have to accept that cash fares are going to be with us for quite a while yet. Agree with that. If cash fares are stopped, the drivers lives will be hell, thats for sure!
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Post by VPL630 on Apr 18, 2013 22:32:07 GMT
I think it would just lead to more delays and arguments at peak times I'm afraid. I think we have to accept that cash fares are going to be with us for quite a while yet. Agree with that. If cash fares are stopped, the drivers lives will be hell, thats for sure! I thought they were already ;D ;D
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Post by Swadbus on Apr 19, 2013 1:15:57 GMT
Perhaps a "change" ticket system could be introduced?
For example if the fare is £2.40p, and £20 note is taken, a "change" ticket can be issued (in this example for the value of £17.60p) from the bus ticket machine with a unique code relating to this overpayment.
This could then be taken to an underground station for the change to be issued using this unique code/ticket, or the code put into a website to allow the change to be sent in the form of a cheque or BACS payment to a nominated bank account or credit to an oyster card.
I'm sure the technology exists to do this fairly easily now. Whilst some initial set up costs, it means that people who need to travel and only have large denominations aren't left stranded, and it should be hassle enough for passengers not to take advantage of it regularly unless they truly are vulnerable.
From what i can see it would pretty much tick all the boxes to cover the situation for vulnerable people, providing change to passengers and allowing travel without leaving people stranded and out of pocket.
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Post by snoggle on Apr 19, 2013 8:49:54 GMT
Perhaps a "change" ticket system could be introduced? For example if the fare is £2.40p, and £20 note is taken, a "change" ticket can be issued (in this example for the value of £17.60p) from the bus ticket machine with a unique code relating to this overpayment. This could then be taken to an underground station for the change to be issued using this unique code/ticket, or the code put into a website to allow the change to be sent in the form of a cheque or BACS payment to a nominated bank account or credit to an oyster card. I'm sure the technology exists to do this fairly easily now. Whilst some initial set up costs, it means that people who need to travel and only have large denominations aren't left stranded, and it should be hassle enough for passengers not to take advantage of it regularly unless they truly are vulnerable. From what i can see it would pretty much tick all the boxes to cover the situation for vulnerable people, providing change to passengers and allowing travel without leaving people stranded and out of pocket. The problem, though, is that it increases the numbers of processes and shifts txns to ticket offices. It is also open to fraud - especially the online facility. TfL wants to take txns off system so the proposal is contrary to that objective. TfL would also not want to provide refunds via Ticket Stops as they prefer to centralise any refund process. It also complicates the accounting process for buses as drivers would have to record the money tendered as well as issue a ticket plus "overpayment" chit. This would probably lengthen dwell times - again contrary to TfL objectives. I know the current "argue the toss over £10 note and change" situation is a long way from ideal and also causes delay but I'm just setting out what I think the likely arguments would be. I agree it looks OK from a passenger viewpoint but it runs contrary to the general thrust of TfL policies and cost saving initiatives.
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Post by Madstuntman on Apr 25, 2013 9:20:13 GMT
There is another side to this. You've mentioned people who've forgotten their oyster or forgotten to top it up, but what about people who don't usually use buses?
I own a car, and at some point in my cars life it might break down despite the fact I maintain it properly. Would I be expected to only break down somewhere I can get an oyster card to get me home?? The bus should be available for everyone. Imagine if you called a cab and when you got in the driver informed you he only accepted payment in slices of bread despite you having plenty of cash in your pocket???
I'm a driver and although I would like to not have to deal with money and tickets (The idea of not interacting with my passengers is a good one to me) I accept we have to cater to everyone.
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Post by rambo on Apr 27, 2013 18:19:03 GMT
There is another side to this. You've mentioned people who've forgotten their oyster or forgotten to top it up, but what about people who don't usually use buses? I own a car, and at some point in my cars life it might break down despite the fact I maintain it properly. Would I be expected to only break down somewhere I can get an oyster card to get me home?? The bus should be available for everyone. Imagine if you called a cab and when you got in the driver informed you he only accepted payment in slices of bread despite you having plenty of cash in your pocket??? I'm a driver and although I would like to not have to deal with money and tickets (The idea of not interacting with my passengers is a good one to me) I accept we have to cater to everyone. Interesting. My answer would be to call the AA/RAC, or get a minicab.
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