2014 fares.

[snoggle]

Dec 3, 2013 15:48:31 GMT @freebbc said:

I think its a matter of a International problem then a London problem.

I seen tweets from the Dublin Bus commuters moaning that the fares have risen without any information being put out by Dublin Bus. But with a London problem, TFL is trying their best to upgrade the system to a level where the costs for running to be more balanced which is notably the New Bus for London. Yet they got to roll out the electric buses which is cheap to charge and to operate.

But its really all getting complicated with the costs to keep things running, at least the GLA tried their best to keep the fares low as possible. But what else, should TFL start accepting bitcoins onto the Oyster card?

But the price caps are frozen at least.

I don't understand. What has Dublin got to do with London? The Irish economy has been down the pan for years. Dublin's transport system has had financial issues for years - it can hardly be a surprise that fares have gone up. That has been a feature of Dublin public transport for many, many years as there have been long standing issues about efficiency savings, the unions and the extent of government support.

The GLA is nothing to do with fares. The Mayor takes the decision. The Mayor is not the Greater London Authority. There is no such as the Greater London Assembly - it is the London Assembly. It is worth understanding that each element of London government has different functions. The london.gov.uk website has short sections explaining what the different bits do.

And as for bitcoins - I cannot believe TfL are terribly bothered about that.

[Madstuntman]

Dec 3, 2013 18:01:42 GMT rambo said:

Dec 3, 2013 11:44:08 GMT Paul said:

Cash bus fare unchanged? Bugger. There was me hoping my life would get a good deal easier with a £2.50 fare!

Me to!!!!

Me 3

[mondraker275]

The week bus pass breaks the £20 pound barrier at £20.40. Why did they just not make it £20. Do they not consider convenience when deciding these things?

[moz]

Dec 4, 2013 11:02:51 GMT Madstuntman said:

Dec 3, 2013 18:01:42 GMT rambo said:

Me to!!!!

Me 3

Me 4! Failing that introduce a 'no change given' policy.

Moz

[Deleted]

Dec 7, 2013 23:15:44 GMT moz said:

Dec 4, 2013 11:02:51 GMT Madstuntman said:

Me 3

Me 4! Failing that introduce a 'no change given' policy.

Moz

There should be instructions on how to pay cash fare.

Here is my instructions on how to pay a London Bus fare in cash.

What you need

• 2x £1 coins or one £2 coin
• 2x 20p coins or 4x 10p coins

Method

1. Wait at a bus stop which have a London Transport roundel on.
2. Wait for the bus to arrive.
3. When the bus is approaching your stop, put your hand out to flag for the bus to stop.
4. When the bus stops, the driver opens up the front doors and board at the front.
5. Give the money to the driver which is £2.40, it needs to be exact change.
6. Place the money onto the tray
7. The driver counts up how much money you have placed onto the tray.
8. Once the driver counted the money, the driver gives you the ticket from the ticket machine.
9. Take the ticket and move down the saloon of the bus. If the bus is a double decker, feel free to use the upper deck and take the seat there.
10. Then enjoy your ride.

[Connor]

Dec 8, 2013 12:41:43 GMT @freebbc said:

Dec 7, 2013 23:15:44 GMT moz said:

Me 4! Failing that introduce a 'no change given' policy.

Moz

There should be instructions on how to pay cash fare.

Here is my instructions on how to pay a London Bus fare in cash.

What you need

• 2x £1 coins or one £2 coin
• 2x 20p coins or 4x 10p coins

Method

1. Wait at a bus stop which have a London Transport roundel on.
2. Wait for the bus to arrive.
3. When the bus is approaching your stop, put your hand out to flag for the bus to stop.
4. When the bus stops, the driver opens up the front doors and board at the front.
5. Give the money to the driver which is £2.40, it needs to be exact change.
6. Place the money onto the tray
7. The driver counts up how much money you have placed onto the tray.
8. Once the driver counted the money, the driver gives you the ticket from the ticket machine.
9. Take the ticket and move down the saloon of the bus. If the bus is a double decker, feel free to use the upper deck and take the seat there.
10. Then enjoy your ride.

How very useful, the vast majority of people do actually know how to board a bus.

[vjaska]

Dec 8, 2013 12:41:43 GMT @freebbc said:

Dec 7, 2013 23:15:44 GMT moz said:

Me 4! Failing that introduce a 'no change given' policy.

Moz

There should be instructions on how to pay cash fare.

Here is my instructions on how to pay a London Bus fare in cash.

What you need

• 2x £1 coins or one £2 coin
• 2x 20p coins or 4x 10p coins

Method

1. Wait at a bus stop which have a London Transport roundel on.
2. Wait for the bus to arrive.
3. When the bus is approaching your stop, put your hand out to flag for the bus to stop.
4. When the bus stops, the driver opens up the front doors and board at the front.
5. Give the money to the driver which is £2.40, it needs to be exact change.
6. Place the money onto the tray
7. The driver counts up how much money you have placed onto the tray.
8. Once the driver counted the money, the driver gives you the ticket from the ticket machine.
9. Take the ticket and move down the saloon of the bus. If the bus is a double decker, feel free to use the upper deck and take the seat there.
10. Then enjoy your ride.

But as we don't have an exact change policy in London, you can't really put, "it needs to be exact change". Besides, I think the majority of people know how to pay & use a bus.

[bigbaddom1981]

Just a silly thought but can drivers refuse small denomination such as 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p and 20p as full payment?

[Paul]

Dec 8, 2013 15:41:09 GMT bigbaddom1981 said:

Just a silly thought but can drivers refuse small denomination such as 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p and 20p as full payment?

I'll preface this with 'as far as I know'

Legally one can only tender a maximum of 20p in 1p and 2p coins and a maximum of £5 in 5p, 10p, 20p and 50p coins. Therefore if someone dumped £2.40 on the tray in 1p and 2p coins we can legally and legitimately refuse it. I can't speak for all drivers but if (and when, since it does happen on occasion) someone dumps a load of silver coins on the cash tray I'm more than happy to accept it

Additionally though a driver could accept the pile of copper coins since an agreement can be made to accept the proffered payment. However if he does accept it as payment he can't then dish it back out in change for the next person in the queue offering a £5 note since the legal limit is 20p

It does all get very complicated. The way I read the rules is an agreement can be made between passenger and driver to pay the fare with coins, notes, chocolate buttons or belly button fluff! The problem for the driver is that he HAS to pay in at the end of his shift with Pounds Sterling so it's not in his interests to accept that belly button fluff!

[rambo]

[rambo]

Seen the above on a bus, should be on all buses.

[Deleted]

Dec 8, 2013 19:35:12 GMT rambo said:

Seen the above on a bus, should be on all buses.

Well said!


This is should be the requirement for all buses to have that!

[westhamgeezer]

Dec 8, 2013 12:41:43 GMT @freebbc said:

Dec 7, 2013 23:15:44 GMT moz said:

Me 4! Failing that introduce a 'no change given' policy.

Moz

There should be instructions on how to pay cash fare.

Here is my instructions on how to pay a London Bus fare in cash.

What you need

• 2x £1 coins or one £2 coin
• 2x 20p coins or 4x 10p coins

Method

1. Wait at a bus stop which have a London Transport roundel on.
2. Wait for the bus to arrive.
3. When the bus is approaching your stop, put your hand out to flag for the bus to stop.
4. When the bus stops, the driver opens up the front doors and board at the front.
5. Give the money to the driver which is £2.40, it needs to be exact change.
6. Place the money onto the tray
7. The driver counts up how much money you have placed onto the tray.
8. Once the driver counted the money, the driver gives you the ticket from the ticket machine.
9. Take the ticket and move down the saloon of the bus. If the bus is a double decker, feel free to use the upper deck and take the seat there.
10. Then enjoy your ride.

Thanks for this, never will I get it wrong again!!

[rambo]

How hard would it be for TFL to fit the above stickers to all TFL buses?
It would save alot of arguments and make life for the drivers and passengers alot easier.
I cannot think of a reason not to.

[snoggle]

Dec 9, 2013 19:38:01 GMT rambo said:

How hard would it be for TFL to fit the above stickers to all TFL buses?
It would save alot of arguments and make life for the drivers and passengers alot easier.
I cannot think of a reason not to.

Out of curiosity are the notices actually 100% true and correct? For example is it the case that drivers will *always* refuse travel to half rate Oyster card holders if the photo is wrong? If the holder was "vulnerable" would the driver still kick them off or would they withdraw the pass and issue a Unpaid Fares Notice (assuming this is right term for the yellow form)?

I also don't believe TfL operate an exact fare policy. If they did then this would be reflected in the conditions of carriage. I've checked them and there is no reference to such a policy. TfL may not require the bus companies to provide drivers with a float but that doesn't mean there is an exact fares policy. Having checked the bus tender contract that TfL have published on their website it makes clear that a UFN should be issued where change cannot be provided to a passenger and where other passengers have been unable to help provide the right money.

I can see why drivers would *like* those notices to be true but I don't think they are true. I wonder what TfL would think if the photo was sent to them? [I'm not going to send it before any wild accusations start flying round]